Indians can now have a taste of apples from Moldova, an east European nation, as the first container of Moldovan apples from the 2022 harvest has arrived, and four more will arrive by the month-end, Radio Moldova reported quoting a government press release. The container crossed more than 7,500 km by sea and reached its destination in 40 days.
The exports were made by two agricultural producers, members of the Moldova-Fruct Association. Moldovan apples are exported to 30 countries. The delivery of the 100 tons of apples is part of the former Soviet nation’s efforts to include the country in the plant quarantine order in India, which represents the list of countries authorized to export apples.
The Indian importer is the Chennai-based Purecrop Agro, an wing of the 85-year-old Vaduvammal Group that is into various business ranging from steel to metal recycling to chemicals. Nishanth Yeddanapalli, managing director, told Businessline that the apples are being brought on a trial basis.
“Facilitating the access of Moldovan exporters to new markets is one of the strategic priorities of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, especially after the disruption of logistics chains and the closure of some markets considered traditional. The opening of a new market for Moldovan apples is a success of the coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors,” Radio Moldova quoted Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița as saying.