New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Enthused by India's robust growthand rich tradition of nut consumption, California Walnuts iskeen to help the country meet its "skyrocketing" demand forthe key dry fruit and address many health problems, officialssaid here today.
The California walnut industry, California WalnutCommission (CWC), is made up of over 4,000 walnut growers and93 walnut handlers/processors.
"We see a tremendous potential in Indian walnut market.
Right now we are only at 14,000 metric tonnes. It is only asmall penetration. We can grow. India is a core part of ourlong term strategy because there's tremendous opportunity in alot of different products, particularly in the Indian-stylesweets," said Michelle Connell, CEO CWC.
She said the Indian producers were already benefitingfrom their strong marketing and promotion of walnut's healthbenefits by roping in nutritionists, dietitians, doctors,bakeries, confectioners and through direct advertising.
"When the price rises because of the high demand,everybody makes more money," she said.
"We are very excited about the market. We have seendramatic growth owing to our partners here in India. We knowwe have just begun. There is a lot more potential here and weare excited to continue to expand and showcase the walnuts forour consumers," Connell said.
Terming India as a "very discerning" market, seniorMarketing Director CWC Pamela Graviet said the demand was morefor the natural products.
She said a "rich cultural heritage" of dry fruitconsumption played an important part in the growth of thewalnut market.
"It's not a foreign item here. It's a natural item toeat. Because of the vegetarian-based culture, there is hugeopportunity for walnut to become not just an added ingredientbut the centrestage ingredient of the plate," Pamela said.
Walnuts have a unique characteristic and that has to dowith omega 3 fatty acids, Keith Sunderlal, Indiarepresentative of CWC, said.
Sunderlal said Indians are predominately vegetarians andas a result it is a protein-deficient society.
"There is a lot of interest in nuts globally. It's atrend we latch on to and help to push it. Globally as well ashere in India the demand for walnuts has skyrocketed," he toldPTI.
Asked about the concerns expressed by the domestictraders, particularly from Jammu and Kashmir, over the entryof Californian walnut in the market, he said there was noconflict and their consistent delivery throughout the year toall Indian consumers differs them from the domestic players.
"If the demand has grown, it means there's no growthdomestically. So people have to buy from somewhere. Indianwalnuts are available only for a few months not twelve monthsand consumers want to eat it all year," he said.
"We are not at odds with the domestic industry. A lot ofour initial importers were the Jammu players. They market ourproduct. We see no conflict. People benefit from it overalland the market is only going to grow...A 25 per cent increasein our yearly imports is par for the course," he said.
India roughly produces 35,000 tonnes of walnuts everyyear. Out of which 20,000 are sold domestically and the restis exported.
Shipments of California walnuts to India for the 2016-17crop year were about 31.5 million in-shell pounds, up from 9.1million pounds in the previous year.
The 2014-15 crop year saw shipment increase quite a bitwith 5.2 million pounds of inshell walnuts going to India and84,500 pounds of kernels.
"There are jobs being created in India. When you sell14,000 metric tonnes of walnut, it does create a hell lot ofjobs. It is already a potential source of employment,"Sunderlal said. PTI MRJ AKJASK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.