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India builds its banana export business
NAVIGATING COVID-19 Although these long-term trends are assisting the growth of India’s banana exports Khandelwal says the industry has not been able to escape the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Logistics disruption saw exports
Traditionally a small player on the international market,
drop in the April-June quarter of 2020, before volumes
one of the world’s largest banana producers has quickly
recovered to match those of 2019, but 2021 is a new
developed its export presence.
story. “Overall the uncertainties have been high during 2021, which has impacted all players in the supply chain,” says Khandelwal.
by Liam O’Callaghan
CAPITALISING ON GROWTH
@liamfruitnet
Looking forward, Khandelwal says the export
I
opportunities for the country’s industry are
n the space of a few years
Philippines and Ecuador are
humongous but significant investment is still required
bananas have become one of
facing challenges with disease and
to capitalise on them.
India’s most prominent export
weather, so customers are looking
categories. INI Farms is one of the
to diversify. “Simultaneously demand
“Organising farmers and standardising production systems in a small landholding country are central to developing large industry,” explains Khandelwal.
companies helping to drive this
from China has led to significant
“INI has proven that this can be done through Public
export growth, working with 3,000
shi with Philippines production
Private Partnership models, which have enabled large
banana growers and shipping
increasingly moving to China as
scale farmer mobilisation, training and value chain
30,000 tonnes to the Middle East in
first preference, leaving a vacuum
development.”
the 2020 calendar year.
in a low production period in the
“As the production system developed along with postharvest
Middle East,” explains Khandelwal. “India fits in well with these
Khandelwal also identifies the importance of building brands – like its Kimaye brand – focusing on marketing and building a differentiated value
infrastructure, the markets also
changing macro situations as
proposition. INI has responded to growing demand for
responded. In 2019-20, India
two major advantages of Indian
non-Cavendish varieties of banana – like Yellaki,
exported 196,000 tonnes and
bananas are lower production costs
Nendran and Red banana. It is working on market
exports have increased at a
and a logistical proximity to Middle
development to provide an outlet as the production of
compound annual growth rate
Eastern markets.”
these varieties develops. _
(CAGR) of more than 70 per cent over the last 5 years,” says chief executive Purnima Khandelwal. “Organisations like INI have made a huge difference with extensive farmer training, adapting world-class production system to the Indian reality of small-hold farmers, building postharvest infrastructure and building markets.”
A MARKET OPENING Khandelwal says structural shi s in the global banana trade are also favouring India as traditional growing locations such as the
RIGHT—INI Farms works with around
3,000 banana growers in India PHOTO—INI Farms
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fresh focus banana 2021
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