India: Mahindra Shubhlabh eyes grape export of 350-containers

Mahindra Shubhlabh Services Ltd (MSSL), a Mahindra Group company, has set the target of exporting 350 containers of grapes (Around 4,500 tonnes) in the current grape season 2010-11 (Nov 10 to March 11). The company has reportedly signed a contract with around 250 grape-growers from Nashik, Sangli and Latur districts to source export quality grapes. "The company has set the target of exporting 4,500 tonnes for the current grape season (2010-11). The company will source 250 containers from Nashik district, while rest of the 100 containers grapes from Sangli and Latur districts, through contract farming. In Nashik district, the company has singed contracts with 175 grape-growers to source export quality grapes. In Sangli and Latur districts, the company has singed contracts with around 75 grape-growers for the purpose," the sources close to the development told Business Standard.
MSSL's grape export has increased 52-fold in the last six years from mere 85 metric tonnes (MT) (six containers) in FY 2004-05 to 4,500 MT (350 containers in 2009-10.