The Hindu Business Line : Garden Fresh to foray into Orissa, Bihar, Assam

GARDEN Fresh Store, a Kolkata-based importer of fresh fruits from the US, Australia, South Africa, China, Thailand and Japan, has firmed up plans to expand its footprint to Orissa, Bihar and Assam, among other States in the eastern region, by March 2006.

The rollout of each retail outlet will entail a capital investment of Rs 80 lakh, according to Mr A. Goenka, Director of Garden Fresh Store.

Speaking to newspersons at a Thai Fruit Festival, organised in association with the Royal Thai Embassy here on Sunday, Mr Goenka said India was emerging as a major market for cross season fruits.

"For example, Australia is the most favourable for India. When it is summer there, it is winter here. During winter here, we can import summer fruits from Australia, while in summer it is the other way round," he said.

Garden Fresh imports about 24 tonnes of fresh fruits annually and it is sold through wholesale and retail outlets in Kolkata.

The company plans to soon augment its points of retail presence in Kolkata, Mr Goenka said.

According to him, Garden Fresh has been trying to propagate the culture of fruit consumption in the eastern region. It has lined up a series of promotions, sample distribution and tasting initiatives.

"Unlike in northern and western India, the concept of fruit consumption as a dietary habit is not as prevalent in eastern India. We wish to bring about a change in this regard," Mr Goenka said.

Garden Fresh has lately been pursuing the prospect of exporting fruits to countries in South and South East Asia

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