Gian Chand Arora & Sue Jenkin

IG International's Gian Chand Arora with Susan Jenkin, CEO Ironbark Citrus

Indian television star KhushiBhatt has leant her support to a new sales programme for Australian Fremont mandarins in the Indian market. Bhatt hosted a launch event for the programme in Mumbai early this week, which also featured an appearance from celebrity speed painter Rabin Bar.

The launch was part of a wide-ranging promotional programme for the campaign, which is being coordinated by leading Indian importer-marketer IG International.

The fruit is being supplied by Queensland-based Ironbark Citrus, a boutique mandarin grower that specialises in supplying premium mandarins to markets across the globe. Melboune-based BGP International manages worldwide marketing for Ironbark’s citrus varieties.

Speaking at the launch event, Susan Jenkin, CEO Ironbark Citrus, said her company saw strong potential to develop a foothold in the Indian market.

“The Indian fresh fruit market is one of the world’s fastest growing markets,” Jenkin explained. “We are delighted to partner with IG International to promote our product in India. Our premium mandarins are extremely popular throughout the world and are sold in many countries. We are confident that India will become an important market for this wonderful fruit.”

Tarun Arora, director of IG International, was confident Australian Fremonts would be well-received by Indian consumers.

“Mandarins are really wonderful fruits, belonging to the citrus family,” Arora said. “They are very low in calories and widely regarded as one of the important ‘cleansing’ fruits. Two small mandarins supply 35 per cent of the daily recommended requirement of Vitamin C. They are very popular throughout the world today.”