Slow cargo movement and additional costs alongside reduced access mean the situation remains challenging for fresh produce exporters
India’s agricultural exports to the Gulf region have recommenced at a slow pace, according to exporters cited in a report by the Financial Express.
Ajit Shah, an India-based onion exporter told the publication that few onion and vegetable shipments have been sent to ports in Khorfakkan, Fujairah, Dubai and Muscat.
“The cargo movement is slow, and freight rates have increased sharply,” Shah told the Financial Express.
Earlier this month, Dubai Customs introduced a temporary facilitation for cargo destined for Jebel Ali Port by adding road transport from the ports of Khorfakkan and Fujairah.
However, this is far from an ideal solution. Rising costs are causing ongoing issues for exporters. Meanwhile, perishables including fruits and vegetables have been barred from onward transport to Saudi Arabia and Qatar from Dubai because of the security situation.
“Exports of onion, bananas, grapes and other perishables have been really hit in the last three weeks following the conflict,” a leading exporter of fruits told Financial Express.
The report said some consignments of fruits and vegetables are being sent through air routes, but exporters told the publication this was not an economically sustainable solution.
