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German company FOOD freshly, which deals in fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, has formed a joint venture with exotic fruits importer IG International and will launch sliced fruits packaged to remain fresh for 10 days.

The joint venture is named FOOD freshly India.

Sukhdev Singh, CEO, FOOD freshly India, said, "We are soon planning to launch cut-and-sliced apples and pears packaged with shelf-life of over 10 days for easy consumption without any health hazards. Initially, we will reach out to the big cities, including Mumbai."

Singh added, "We have set a capex of 6,00,000 euros for building infrastructure, equipment and technology. We have already set up a processing plant in Navi Mumbai and have begun awareness drive and product tasting. We will soon commercially launch sliced apples and pears in Mumbai."

While the project will begin with apples and pears, various other fruits, which are under the lab testing process currently will be introduced at a later stage, Singh said.

He said, depending on the demand, the company will expand its product portfolio to include other fruits and salads as well.

In India, he said, the fruits will be available in 80 grams pouch pack and the pilot run of the project will begin in Mumbai, eventually spreading out to other cities, where the number of working women and health conscious audience is growing.

The packages will be available in supermarkets, food joints, as well as airlines.

Singh said, sliced fruits offered by the company will be procured from local growers.

IG International, one of India’s leading fruit importers, has now entered into export markets.

The company plans to start its fruit export business with grapes, named IG Grapes, obtained from the best sourcing networks in the belts producing the highest quality table grapes in India.

IG international's grapes' export division has integrated with regions such as Nashik, Satana, Malegaon, Baramati and Sangli.

At present, IG Grapes is exporting varieties of black seedless, green seedless and red seedless to all of Europe, Russia and South Asian countries. The company aims on penetrating into new and challenging markets.

To increase the shelf life of fruits and make more varieties of grapes viable for exports, IG International is experimenting with and incorporating the latest technology.

Tarun Arora, Director, IG International Pvt. Ltd said, "There is always a demand witnessed for quality and taste at best prices. After the continued success in the import business, we wanted to set up our own export division to sell high-quality produce overseas. By leveraging the experience that comes from being the largest fresh fruit importer of one of the world's biggest markets along with our five- decade old affair with freshly produced fruits and vegetables, IG International envisions contributing to India's export industry by diversifying our export endpoints."

The company plans to further diversify its product assortment to bananas, pomegranates, onions and potatoes.

One of the leading names in fresh fruits imports and exports in the country, IG International Pvt Ltd (IGIPL), has launched Australian Fremont Mandarins in India.

“Mandarins are really wonderful fruits, belonging to the citrus family.  They are very low in calories and widely regarded as one of the important ‘cleansing’ fruits. Two small mandarins supply 35 percent of the daily recommended requirement of Vitamin C. They are very popular throughout the world today”, said Tarun Arora, Director, IG International.

IG International will import these Fremont Mandarins from Ironbark Citrus, a renowned grower of Mandarins in Queensland, Australia.

“The Indian fresh fruit market is one of the world’s fastest growing markets.  We are delighted to partner with IG International to promote our product in India.  Our premium mandarins are extremely popular throughout the world and are sold in many countries.  We are confident that India will become an important market for this wonderful fruit”, said Susan Jenkin, CEO, Ironbark Citrus.

Fremont Mandarins are shipped in 9 kg cartons and Ironbark Citrus has an annual output of around 90,400 cartons. Ironbark Citrus is Australia’s premier boutique mandarin grower and specialises in supplying premium mandarins to the world.  The company processes its fruit in its own on-site facilities to ensure maximum shelf life.

Incorporated in 2000 by Gian Chand Arora, IGI is a leading marketer and distributor of high quality fresh fruit across India and its brand ‘IG’ is a trusted symbol.  The company handles an annual volume of over 1500 refrigerated containers (40 feet) from 20 countries and distributes these through its 27 wholesale outlets across India.