An Indian grape exporter says the season is behind schedule by two weeks due to weather issues, with the first containers set to arrive in the Dutch port of Rotterdam in early March.

During Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Pratik Mutha from Agrion Overseas told www.freshfruitportal.com there was high demand for India to supply sooner, but the ability to meet requests was hindered by the biology of the fruit.

"With the effects in the fruit in South Africa and Chile, we are very keen to supply more to the European market, and we have been informed by European importers that they want us to dispatch as soon as possible," Mutha said.

"But unless the fruit can get mature, how can we deliver it to them to the exact specifications and volume?

"This time it has been delayed by two weeks or so. For mature grapes we need hotter days but it has been to cold to get to maturity to the right level."

From the company's 50 containers of grapes shipped to the European market last year, Mutha expects growth of 10-12% in 2014.

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