India ships season's first grapes to China, outlook grim for Australia mkt

Country aims to double shipment to China this year to reap advantage of that country's trade war with US; Down Under is a tough call due to shipment time and quality control issues

While India has shipped its first consignment of grapes to China to mark the beginning of the bumper season 2019, the potential of exporting to the newly opened market, Australia, looks grim due to geographical disadvantages. 

India exports around 190,000 tonnes of grapes worth $300 million a year, of which the Netherlands contributes nearly 33 per cent both in volume and value. Russia and United Kingdom shared 15 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively, in 2017-18.

China has been a regular buyer of Indian grapes. During 2017-18, China had imported 827 tonnes of grapes worth $1.3 million from India,