Coke to source mango pulp from Jain Irrigation

Soft drinks giant Coca Cola-India has awarded a Rs 84 crore contract to Jain Irrigation Systems for supplying mango pulp for Maaza.Jain Irrigation, which recently acquired the Israeli firm "� Naandan "� said in a communique to the Bombay Stock Exchange that the new order was quite large compared with the last year's Rs 33 crore contract.

"With additional export orders in hand, the mango pulp business is expected to exceed a turnover of Rs 160 crores for the company this year. The fruit and vegetable processing division is expected to register more than 50 per cent growth in the current financial year," the manufacturer of irrigation systems said in the statement.

The company is a major supplier to many MNCs and leading global beverage and food brands. It has five plants for fruits and vegetable processing in India and one in the US.

India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world with a share of more than 55 per cent of the world production. The country grows some delicious varieties of mangoes such as Alphonso, Kesar, Dasheri, Totapuri, Chausa etc.

Commenting on the expanding market, Jain Irrigation added, "There is large potential for fresh mangoes as well as processed mango juice as consumers prefer healthy drinks over other kinds of drinks. Fruit juice and drink market in India is growing above 30 per cent every year."

Shares of the company were last trading at Rs 478, down 0.35 per cent on the BSE.