The Hindu Business Line : Markfed in deal to export sweet onion to Germany

THE Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd (Markfed) has signed a deal with a German company to export 20,000 tonnes of sweet onion, a top official of the federation has said.

"We have entered into contract farming with growers to cultivate this onion and ship it to Germany," Mr S.S. Channy, Managing Director, Markfed, told Business Line. He was in the commercial capital to take part in `Grain Asia 2004'.

The German firm, Agropa, has signed the deal to buy sweet onion. It was likely to place orders for two lakh tonnes of sweet onion next year, he said. Nunhem, a multi-national firm, supplied seeds for this variety.

Sweet onion differs from red and rose onions grown in the country. It is yellow or brown in colour and has no pungency.

"The onions are likely to be shipped during March-April," Mr Channy said and added that there was no demand for sweet onions in the country.

The onions would be sent in refrigerated containers and hence, it would eliminate the need for `multi-handling', he said.

The German firm would be buying the onions at 28 euros (approximately Rs 1,600) a quintal.

Markfed was also set to export potato to the European Union. Subject to the European Union approval, it would export 40,000 tonnes through Agropa.

"Potato would also be grown through contract farming. Agropa has come and tested our potato and are satisfied with it. We are now awaiting the European Union clearance," Mr Channy said.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority would have to write to the European Union authorities to visit the potato-growing areas in Punjab. Following this, a delegation would come from there, he said.

"Our potato crop will not compete with the ones grown in Europe. That's because when our crop is shipped, it will be off-season there," Mr Channy said. Indian potato will be used for French fry and chips.

Markfed has got ISO and phyto-sanitary certifications and is also into foodgrain trade besides production of processed food. Its annual turnover is $2 billion (Rs 9,100 crore), according to Mr Channy.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Cotton contract farming urged in TN

Symposium on seaweeds in Kochi

Markfed in deal to export sweet onion to Germany

Rubber weakens on poor buying

New dairy unit to be opened in Thiruvananthapuram

Cotton continues to rise

Megatop ties up with UK fund to offer insurance to farmers in AP, M.P.

Guarded optimism over foodgrain export policy

Sops likely for agri infrastructure investment

Global meet to highlight bamboo potential

`Campco, a model co-op agency'