Torrential rain and subsequent flooding will significantly reduce the volume of bananas India exports to the Middle East this season, The Times of India has reported.
The major banana production hubs around the Narmada and Bharuch districts in North-West India are among the worst hit areas by the flooding, with early estimates suggesting 2500ha of plantations have been destroyed. The news is particularly distressing for the country’s largest banana exporter Desai Fruits and Vegetables, which sources heavily from the region.
“The major destruction of banana crops is reported from Jaghadia in the Bharuch and Narmada districts,” Ajit Kumar, general manager of Desai Fruits and Vegetables told The Times. “These are the two main regions from where we source our 90 per cent of the fruit.”
Desai accounts for close to 14,000 tonnes of the 20,000 tonnes of bananas India ships to the Middle East each year. Industry-wide exports to Gulf nations are expected to fall by more than 70 per cent this season.
“The banana export season starts from October and lasts till May,” Manoj Kumar from Desai’s Middle East export division says.
“This time around it is difficult to cater to demand from our buyers following the heavy damage to the banana crops in Narmada and Bharuch districts due to rains and floods.”
The Indian industry remains a relatively small player in Middle Eastern markets, with The Times suggesting it holds less than a seven per cent market share in the region.
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