Only a few weeks till the Indian okra season begins. More export volumes are predicted for one exporter, who has secured clients in new areas this season. Despite the fact that passenger flights have resumed, the expense of delivering the okra via air remains a big concern.
As per Manoj Barai, director of Indian produce exporter M.K. Exports, the Indian okra season will not begin until the European produce has been removed from the European market: “Currently, the Indian okra season has not yet begun, because products from Italy, Spain, and Jordan are currently present in Europe markets.” These items are also relatively inexpensive as compared to Indian okra. This means we’ll have to wait a bit longer, since our okra season is scheduled to begin in the third to fourth weeks of September.”
Barai has set a new goal for the firm this season: 700 metric tons of okra export. “Once the season begins, we anticipate to export more okra than we did the previous year, because we have created a few new markets in addition to the traditional markets in European nations where we are supplying. Currently, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands are our most significant markets. For the upcoming okra season, we’ve established a goal of exporting 700 metric tons of high-quality okra. We want to be linked with new customers this season, which will assist us in meeting our goal.”
Because costs in Europe are now quite cheap, demand for Indian okra has not yet reached the desired level. However, Barai believes that by October, the situation would have greatly improved: “Currently, demand for okra is slow owing to quality concerns and expensive pricing, as it is the rainy season in India at the moment.” But this will undoubtedly change in a month, and Indian okra demand will grow if we have the finest quality available and better pricing to offer, which we expect to achieve in October and beyond.”
Despite the fact that passenger planes are departing from India, the cost of air freight has not decreased. According to Barai, the airlines are unwilling to compensate for the damages they suffered during the epidemic. “Despite the fact that passenger planes have resumed their schedules, the cost of air logistics has been steadily rising. We have asked airlines to reduce air freight through cheaper freight forwarders because we are dealing with essential, perishable items, but it appears that airlines are not in the mood to reduce freight rates, which is understandable given that they have also suffered significant losses over the last year and a half due to the Covid-pandemic. We absolutely expect freight rates to stay modest, ensuring trade continuity in the next months.” Concluded Barai.