Importers to take part in buyer-seller meet

Kolkata, May 10:Some 50 importers and buyers of tropical fruits from 20 countries will participate in a two-day “Second Reverse Buyers Sellers Meet” commencing from May 15 in Mumbai, an official said on Thursday.

The meet is being organised by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with the objective to promote and give a fillip to exports of Indian mangos and other tropical fruits like pomegranates, pineapples, banana and jackfruits.

“Fifty buyers and importers from 20 countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, Bahrain Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Israel, Thailand, Britain, Mauritius, Malaysia, Greece, Egypt and UAE are joining the meet,” said APEDA Chairman D.K. Singh.

He said that 13 state horticulture departments and 36 major and small fruits exporters would be displaying mangoes, other tropical and their processed products with an objective to develop new markets for promotion of these fruits and processed products.

“There is increasing acceptance of horticulture produce and exports from the country. In 2016-17, India exported fresh fruits and vegetables worth $1.6 billion and processed fruits and vegetables worth $1.1 billion to over 40 countries. Total export of mangoes and mango pulp from India was 59.22 thousand tonnes, and 1,35,621.22 tonnes valuing $66.94 million and $129.29 million, respectively, during 2016-17,” Singh said. (IANS)