The first Indian grapes are expected at PeDe, NL next Friday. After a turbulent year for the Indian grapes in 2010, in which MRL was a hot topic, the Venlo importer has decided to take the volume up a notch. "We bet high on residue control. Through independent tests for the grape harvest sent to a laboratory in Hamburg through air mail, we can see which markets the grapes are suitable for early on. The grape plots are only harvested after this MRL check and packaged for export", says Robert Kraaijeveld.
"We had to take these measures, because the retailers are viewing the Indian grapes with an above average interest. Tests in the laboratory are taken more seriously than local checks. We see a clear priority change in the retail, in which they are now looking at food safety before price.", continues Robert. "For now the residue samples look good. Looking at the samples, sceptics were wrong about the growth regulator not dissipating soon enough. The residue level is lower than the legal EU-norms in all samples so far, even from fields that caused MRL problems last year."
The Indian grapes will arrive in a difficult market, but according to Robert you have to look at it in perspective. "The first half of March has always been a difficult period for the grape market. Add to this that the prices are at a very good level. We would have been happy with the current price level - around 8 euro - last year. The European stocks are smaller than last year and I hope the good spring weather will give the sales a 'boost'!"
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