PUNE: A change in regulations on pesticide residue levels in grapes proposed by the European Union (EU) is likely to pose problems for the export of Indian grape to these countries in the coming season.
Top officials of the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) Committee met in Pune, along with senior officials of the Union Commerce Department, APEDA at the National Research Centre for Grapes, has decided to approach the EU to file a say on behalf of Indian exporters, senior officials said.
In 2010, Indian grape exports faced a setback, with EU reluctant to accept Indian table grape consignments as chlormequat chloride — a plant growth regulator — was detected in excess of the prescribed maximum residue level (MRL).
Indian grapes began to find favour after 2014 when a 1.92 lakh tonne of grapes were exported by Indian traders to around 94 countries. Of this Europe and the UK together accounted for the largest share of 65,000 tonnes.
According to Jagannath Khapre, President, All India Grape Exports Association who was also present for the meet, it was decided at the meeting to seek a five-year period from EU to ensure that the existing residue levels in the soil completely go down.
Around 60,000 tonne was exported to EU for the 2015-16 season. Canada has granted market access for the Indian fresh grapes. This follows the recent Indo-Canadian bilateral discussions held in New Delhi.
However, the Indian exporters will be able to take advantage of this development only from the next season. Canada will open a new market for the Indian exporters, who have been mainly shipping the fresh grapes to European countries.
But Canada has imposed conditions that exporters have to register the vineyards and pack houses, and maintain traceability.
The Netherlands is the largest buyer of Indian fresh grapes, accounting for more than half of the exports, followed by the UK and Germany.
Source: Dailyshippingtimes.com
