Kutch fruit growers plan outlets abroad

Mango, chiku and date growers of Kutch are planning to set up their own retail outlets in Dubai, Canada and London.

The move is encouraged by the success of exports of Kutchi Kesar mangoes to the UK, Canada and the Middle East.

While around 250 tonne of Kutchi Kesar mangoes were exported to the UK, Dubai and Canada, over 10 tonne of chikus were exported to the UK, Taiwan and parts of Dubai. These exports had brought a Rs 1.5 crore of foreign exchange revenue last year.

"Kesar mangoes and chikus grown in Kutch are a rage in the UK. Europe, Canada and the Middle East are also potential markets for us. However, setting up own shops there will be more profitable for us, considering the transportation cost and the procedures involved in exporting. While we get £2 for one carton of three kgs of Kesar mangoes, an outlet there would fetch around £10-12 per carton," said Batuk Jadeja, proprietor of Ashapura Nursery, one of the leading exporters of Kesar mangoes from Kutch. Ashapura alone had exported over 150 tonne of mangoes last year.

Gopal Patel, one of the leading producers of chiku in the Kutch region, sees Europe and South East Asia as potential markets for chiku.

"There is huge demand for chiku wafers in foreign countries, but lack of infrastructure is a hindrance for its growth. I feel setting up shops abroad will benefit farmers and the fruit market here," says Patel.

At present, Ashapura Nursery's deals are through a London-based fruit merchant, Kingsbury Fruit and Vegetables.

"Setting up retail outlets in countries such as Canada, the UK and Dubai will increase our margins by over three times, " said Jadeja.

Mangoes, chikkus and dates are cultivated in over 3,000 hectare of land in Mandvi, Anjar, Bhuj, Mundra and Nakshatrana taluka of Kutch district.

Kesar mangoes of Kutch have more total soluble solid (TSS) matter than other mangoes produced in the country. Pesticides are not being used in cultivating thsese mangoes," said S B Moradia, deputy director of district horticulture of Kutch.

Mango growers here are now diversifying to chiku cultivation too. Last year around 10 tonne of chiku waffer was exported to Singapore. Chikus worth Rs 40 lakh were exported the UK and China. Fruit dealers in these countries have also evinced interest in Kutch fruit farmers setting up shops there.

At present, the main mode of transport for exports is a passenger flight that runs only once a day. Due to lack of cargo flights, farmers are unable to send more than three tonne of mangoes a day during the season.

Even the huge demand in the international markets has not prompted the government to take necessary steps to improve the infrastructure facilities such as air connectivity, packaging and cold storage.

"A separate cargo service is required to handle at least 20 tonne of mangoes daily instead of the current three tonne," Jadeja said.

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Fruity plans

• Kesar mangoes and chikus grown in the Kutch region are popular in the UK, Singapore, Dubai and Canada
• Setting up own shops will reduce transportation costs and yield better returns. This will increase margins by over three times.