Audaciously bolstering the agricultural sector, Indian Agri value chain catalyst, Samunnati, has efficaciously orchestrated the export of 275 tonnes of Thomson seedless grapes from Nashik to the Netherlands during the 2023 grape season. This strategic move embodies a decisive step towards bridging global market opportunities for Indian agriculturists, thereby promoting their economic upliftment.
Samunnati supervised the intricate operation end-to-end, from farm gate procurement to the export stage, encompassing meticulous primary processing, cold storage, packaging, and the labyrinthine certification processes. The grapes, cultivated within a 100-square-kilometer area surrounding Nashik pack houses, were harvested by Global GAP-certified agriculturists, ensuring the produce was of exceptional quality.
Conforming to the stringent European Union compliance standards, Samunnati procured all indispensable licenses and permits from the pertinent government authorities, inclusive of Agmark certification and APEDA-certified pack houses. The execution of this multifaceted endeavor culminated in the triumphant shipment of 20 containers of grapes, consequently benefiting over 36 local farmers by furnishing them with enhanced value realization for their produce.
SG Anil Kumar, the Founder, and CEO of Samunnati, expressed gratification at the efficacious orchestration of grape exports. “Our efforts in facilitating grape exports to the Netherlands exemplify the power of a solution-oriented approach in overcoming export challenges from streamlining certification processes to addressing infrastructure and warehousing requirements. By empowering farmers and driving positive change, these initiatives ensure that farmers receive the maximum benefits in terms of meeting their working capital requirements and better value realization for their produce.”
The Dutch importer of the grapes, Vrugteboom International BV, lauded the collaborative enterprise. Pieter Kok, Managing Director of Vrugteboom, extolled, “We had a successful season with grapes from India this year, and we are happy to collaborate with Samunnati. This program involving 275 tonnes proved to be highly efficient. The co-operation was exemplary, every aspect was handled meticulously, and prompt information was provided. Looking forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration next year!”
Samunnati’s adept management of liquidity, amalgamated with efficient harvesting and packaging methodologies, ensured a negligible rejection rate of just over 13 percent for the exported grapes. This performance underscores the efficacy of the comprehensive approach adopted by Samunnati.
One of the beneficiaries, Sanjay Gore, a grape farmer from Nasik, hailed Samunnati’s endeavor. “Even if the season is good, it is the price and payment that affects us the most. This is where Samunnati proved invaluable to us. It ensured immediate payments, which greatly supported our operations. We are delighted with our association and their commitment to fair and prompt transactions.”
This pioneering initiative has set an auspicious precedent for India’s agricultural exports, signaling the potential for such endeavors to empower local farmers by integrating them with the international marketplace. This successful operation will likely serve as a beacon for other agri-based entities to explore analogous opportunities, contributing to the overall expansion and evolution of India’s agricultural sector.
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