FPI captures market on the move

Fresh Produce India is back on 28 April with a high-quality programme of live interviews, discussions and presentations.

India’s leading fresh produce event, now in its 16th year, takes place online again in 2022 in its proven digital format.

Expert speakers at Fresh Produce India take a deep dive into the big market trends and opportunities, providing delegates with practical insights to help drive their business forward and succeed in the high-growth Indian market. 

Going digital 

Covid-19 has been a catalyst for digital transformation in India’s fresh fruit and vegetable business, and this year’s programme opens with a look at how the tech revolution is reshaping the country’s fresh produce landscape.

Online sales of fresh fruit and vegetables have taken off in India since the onset of the pandemic. Maneesh Dumbre, head of sourcing for e-commerce start-up Pluckk, explains how the company is working to meet growing demand for ‘lifestyle-oriented fresh produce’ among Indian consumers.

The focus then shifts to the digitisation of the supply chain between farmer and retailer. Ninjacart co-founder Vasudevan Chinnathambi explains how the company is using innovative technology to solve inherent supply chain challenges in India and benefit farmers, retailers and end-users.

Manav Suri, chief operating officer of Suri Agro Fresh, also discusses the major distributor’s move to digitise the fragmented wholesale business in India with the launch of its SAF Green app.

The session wraps up with a look at the role of digitisation at farm level, with Sanjay Borkar, CEO and co-founder of FarmERP, explaining the opportunities it presents for India’s smallholder farmers.

Global genetics

A partner content session with platinum sponsor IG International zones in on two of the group’s new tie-ups with international partners. The Indian fruit enterprise recently signed a deal with Israel-based Ben-Dor Fruits and Nurseries to grow stonefruit and pomefruit varieties under license in India. IG International director Tarun Arora is joined by Ben-Dor’s managing director Ido Ben Dor to discuss what the deal means for Indian production and for the nation’s consumers.

IG also recently joined forces with major Turkish apple producer Engin Tarim to develop production of leading apple varieties in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and the group’s chairman Seyda Ertuk joins Arora to outline the joint venture’s plans.

Apple demand diversifies

India is Asia’s largest apple import market, and it has diversified in recent years. The nation is now sourcing apples from more than ten different supplying countries, and it is consuming a wider range of varieties.

Will Callis, executive director of the US Apple Export Council, shares the results of recent research into Indian consumer behaviour and retail trends in apples, with analysis of the impact of Covid-19.

South African apple and pear grower association Hortgro is ramping up its promotional campaign in India this year, and Riaan Ferreira, director of GF Marketing, is on-hand to discuss market opportunities.

Elsewhere, Nicola Zanotelli of major Italian apple supplier, From, discusses new openings for club varieties in India.

India’s dynamic consumer market is attracting growing interest from global suppliers across other categories, including citrus. Claire Fitchett, Citrus Australia’s market development manager for South Asia, is joined by Carter & Spencer’s Adam Kennedy to discuss the Australian industry’s new programme to develop the Indian market.

Building India-Europe trade

Platinum sponsor the Dutch Embassy in India also hosts a partner content session at Fresh Produce India. Michiel van Erkel, Dutch agricultural counsellor in India, chairs a session on improving trade between India and Europe in a range of areas. 

Azhar Tambuwala, marketing director of Sahyadri Farms, provides an update on India’s grape trade into Europe and compliance with food safety regulations. He also discusses Sahyadri’s recent agreement with Dutch Greenhouse Delta to explore greenhouse production of high-value crops such as berries. Akshat Medakker, India country head of KeyGene, also highlights the importance of providing Indian farmers with access to climate-resilient and disease-resistant varieties.

Fresh Produce India is a free-to-attend event, and delegates enjoy access to every interactive session, while they can also network with attendees and connect with sponsors. Sessions are available to view live and on-demand, and speakers are on-hand to answer questions during their sessions via the live online chat.

For more information and to register free, visit the website: www.freshproduceindia.co