08/05/05 India and tree fruit, Part two

India has all the makings of becoming the next big market for U.S. apples and pears. As an emerging market, industry insiders say the demand is there, especially for apples. This might put the previous statements in context. India currently makes up three per cent of total U.S. apple exports. The only places apples are transported to for the moment is port cities. That's due to the need to improve transportation, handling, and cold storage infrastructure in India. And on top of those obstacles, Northwest pome fruit must complete with China for the purchases and loyalties of Indian consumers. But according to Keith Sunderlal, who markets pears in India for Pear Bureau Northwest, U.S. products are gaining much attention from consumers thanks to product quality and strong marketing campaigns. SUNDERLAL: The Indian consumer, certainly the northern half, is able to differential pretty well between the Chinese Ya pear type varieties and the western, more-succulent type varieties. There is a larger presence of Chinese pears versus U.S. pears. However, we are holding are own and we are growing because people who understand and know pears prefer these pears much better over Chinese type pears. So we're extending this same message even to southern India for this year, so hopefully that will work out for us.