Brussels, 22/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 22 January, the European Commission announced that it will now be possible to export European apples to India.
Although all points of entry for European apples onto the Indian market had been closed since September 2015 (with the exception of one port), Europeans producers will now be able to transit their apples through the sea ports and airports of Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Cochin. Imports of European apples are also authorised through India's land borders.
European apple exports to India only stood at 7,000 tonnes in 2014, mainly from France, Italy and Belgium. The figures available for 2015 show a strong rise (to 11,000 tonnes) for 2015, due in particular to an agreement concluded between Poland and India. However, the potential for future years seems enormous given India's modest production, which is roughly equivalent to the production of Italy (1.5 million tonnes).
“Our efforts to break down any barriers to our agricultural exports and to open markets to our producers are ongoing, as part of the diplomatic offensive we are leading in 2016”, said European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan in a press release. This search for new openings for European apples is taking place as a result of the Russian embargo on certain agricultural products. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)