Chinese Apples may be available in the India Market Soon

‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ is an old English adage that means eating nutritious food like apple will keep you healthier and away from the doctor. Apple is known to have originated in the mineral rich mountain ranges of Kazakhstan. The outer skin has different colors depending upon the cultivator area while the juicy pulp is off-white to cream in color, offering its admirers mild sweet to tart taste. Besides their fabulous flavor and perfect portability, apples are packed with a myriad of health benefits. 

Recently China-India Fruit Promotion Conference was organized by the India China Economic and Cultural Council in collaboration with China embassy. The main objective of the conference was to promote Chinese fruits & vegetables in India and also explore business opportunities in the Indian agri sector. Last year in June, Indian gorerment had put a ban on chinese apples and pears. This ban was executed because the Indian National Plant Protection Organiszation (NPPO) detected mealy bugs and fungus on several shipments of Chinese apples and pears.  Meanwhile, China is aggressively promoting the export of their Apples, Peers, and Pomegranate with the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center (ATPC), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), with the objectives of developing National Rural Economy, increasing farmers` income and promoting agri-trade. 

The delegation comprised of 10 leading Chinese companies from fruits and vegetable sector. 

1. Liu Lihong (General Manager)
SANMENXIA HONGFENG FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CO. LTD

2. Zhao Xiaolei (Operational Manager)
JINZHOU TIANYANG TRADING CO. LTD

3. Liu Yanhui (Manager)
YANTAI YUYI FRUIT AND VEGETABLE FOOD CO. LTD

4. Wang Mengjiao (General Manager)
YANTAI YUYI FRUIT AND VEGETABLE FOOD CO. LTD

5. Xu Tao (General Manager)             
PENGLAI YIXING FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CO. LTD

6. Pan Dehui (Chairman)           
QIXIA DEFENG FOODSTUFF CO.,LTD.

7. Tang Hongxia (Executive Assistant)       
YANTAI BEIFANG FRUIT AND VEGETABLE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD.

8. LI Xianfeng (Manager)
RUSHAN PINGFEI FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CO. LTD

9. Cui Qingshan (Manager)
RUSHAN PINGFEI FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CO. LTD

10. Bu Yanni (Sales Manager)
Shaanxi baolian fruit products co. LTD.

Furthermore, the Indian apple market is now under even greater pressure, because India and America have started a trade war. Since this week, the Indian government announced it is going to impose additional duty fees on the import of apples from America. “This is the current situation. This new announcement further upsets the Indian apple market.” There is not a large production of apples in India itself. Therefore, to meet its demand, India is dependent on its apple import for sufficient apple supply. How further events will occur is not sure, time will tell. 

India is reportedly allowing apple imports to enter through any port in the country, marking a significant change from its previous regulations. According to reports, imports had only been permitted through the seaports and airports in Kolkota, Mumbai, Chennai and Cochin, as well as at Delhi’s airport and the country’s land borders. 

Shri A K Saxena, President, Indian Importers Chambers of Commerce & Industry gave an account of Indian imports of fruits from the Chinese and other countries. Chinese delegation also gave presentation telling the USP of their products and packaging facilities available with them.

Krishi Jagran team met and interacted with the Chinese delegation and assessed the need of Chinese apples and peers in the Indian Market.  

At present, China is the largest producer of apples with US at second position. Other leading producers include Iran, Italy, France, and Turkey.