Fruit, vegetable exports from state drop by 40%

PUNE: The ripple effect of the Jet Airways crisis has hit fruit and vegetable exports from Maharashtra.

The state exports fruits and vegetables, including mangoes, okra, drumsticks and tomatoes, among others, to the Gulf and Europe.

Since the troubled carrier began grounding its fleet en masse, pressure on other airlines has mounted. This has indirectly caused exports to drop by nearly 40% compared to last year, exporters said.

“For instance, as on Friday, I had four tonnes of produce to ship, but could barely ship anything due to this issue,” Manoj Barai, owner of MK Exports (Mumbai) said.

Exporters said, because of the space constraints, freight charges too have shot up, as other airlines are finding it difficult to make space on the available aircraft.

Barai said freight charges have gone up from last year’s Rs87 per kg to Rs108 per kg approximately. “Since Jet Airways started grounding its aircraft, other airlines began increasing freight charges. If we pass this on to importers, they would hesitate to buy,” Barai added.

Sources from VAFA Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Exporters Association pegged the drop in business at 30%. “When there are space issues in the available aircraft, first preference is given to general cargo,” a source explained, adding, “This has caused a dip in the export of perishables, all of which are transported on passenger aircraft.”

The association recently requested the commerce ministry to address this issue.

“We have even had to take our shipments back due to space shortage,” Umesh Gade, owner of Nashik-based Ambika Vegetable and Fruit Company said.

Amit Katharani, an onion exporter, said his business has not been affected as onions are exported by sea. “Vegetable exporters are not taking some orders as they fear having consignments returned to them,” said Katharani.

Jet Airways did not comment on this matter.