INDIA

Feedback from the Trade on Their Plans and Interest in the USA Pear Season:

Indian importers have started to buy USA Pears after a gap of 3 years. USA Pear shipments to India had stalled due to successive short crops in the US. First arrivals are expected in early November. Overall arrival quality and sales of the first few shipments will determine importer interest in the long term.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

No freight or logistic challenges have been reported.

Opportunities in Your Market for Specific Varieties, Sizes, and Grades:

Opportunities in India exist for Green and Red Anjou pears. Preferred size is 110-120 and preferred grade in US No. 1.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

The imported pear market in India is dominated by pears from South Africa. Large volume of South African pears is available in all major fresh fruit markets of the country. Varieties available are Forelle, Vermont Beauty and Packham. Forelle pears from Chile and Packham pears from Argentina are available in limited volume. Illegally imported pears from China are available in large volume across the country. Indian domestic pear is also available in the market in good volume. Domestic pear supplies are likely to end by the first week of November.

Political or Economic Issues Impacting Imports, Retail, or Consumer Behavior:

Trade relations between the US and India have been under strain in recent months. Washington imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods in response to India’s continued purchase of oil from Russia. Indian imports to the US market are now subject to a 50% tariff. India has not retaliated against these tariffs so far.

Other Brief Comments:

A trade deal between US and India is likely in the next few months. Trade continues to watch these developments closely.