08/04/05 India and tree fruit

So what is it about the nation of India that has the Northwest apple and pear industry so excited? Well, it isn't just that India has one of the largest populations in the world. It is because it has one of the largest growing middle-class populations in the world. Insiders say Northwest tree fruit is to the Indian consumer, a very affordable luxury item. SUNDERLAL: The big use for any high end foreign fruits coming into India, more than half is for a gifting purpose. So that's where we motivate some of the importers by providing some clam shells which are very attractive gifts. That's Keith Sunderlal, who markets U.S.A. pears in India for Pear Bureau Northwest. He notes that another reason for the growing popularity of apples and pears has to do with the abilities of our region's growers in terms of producing more varieties that interest consumer demand. SUNDERLAL: People are also following the apple route. The climates and the availability of crops have been extended in India. Even a retail giant like Wal-Mart has taken notice of India, with the company's Chief Executive recently coming to Washington D.C. to visit the Indian Prime Minister to push for increased access into the Indian market. Now while demand for U.S. apples and pears continues to grow in India, there are some logistical challenges that need to be addressed. And a bigger challenge for the U.S. pome fruit industry is competition from one of India's next door neighbors, China. More on that in our next program.