With a population exceeding one billion and a rapidly growing middle class, India today represents one of the most promising – yet complex – challenges for Chilean fresh fruit exports. With zero tariffs, favorable trade windows, and a gift-giving culture that values premium fruit, Chilean cherries could find fertile ground.
But a targeted strategy is needed.
With approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants, India is the most populous country on the planet and, due to its size and diversity, must be approached as if it were a continent. So says Sumit Saran, director of SS Associates, an Indian company specializing in launching foreign food products in the local market.
According to the expert, free trade between Chile and India – recently strengthened during the visit of President Gabriel Boric – offers a competitive advantage: for cherries, the import duty is zero, unlike the 30% (about 27.5%) applied to other exporting countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
For Saran, the key is to target the segment of consumers made up of the Indian middle and upper class, which includes about 300 million people – a population comparable to the entire United States.
"We are not talking about a niche market," he emphasizes, "but a segment with real purchasing power, spread across the entire country. Every city, large or small, has its share of affluent consumers."
Unlike local cherries, which are available in summer, Chilean cherries reach the Indian market between December and January. This is an advantage in terms of exclusivity, right during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
However, Chilean cherries do not reach the market in time for Diwali – the most important gift-giving holiday, which is celebrated between October and November. “It’s a limitation,” admits Saran, “but there’s still a very interesting premium consumption week at the end of the year.”
Another encouraging sign is the arrival of the first sea containers. “Until now, there were no suitable logistics solutions. But the last season showed that it is possible to ship in containers while maintaining high quality upon arrival. It’s a turning point,” says the expert.
The model to follow? The evolution of dried plum consumption: “With a small promotional investment, exports doubled. If we do the same with cherries, India could become the new China.”
Unlike other lesser-known fruits, cherries do not require a major consumer education effort: “Cherries are grown in India too, although in a different season. The product is known. You just have to highlight its quality and exclusivity,” concludes Saran.
The potential is there, but a long-term plan is needed, with targeted promotion, efficient logistics, and a constant presence in the territory. India won't be a short-term bet, but it could become the next major partner for Chilean cherries.
An ambitious challenge, but with 300 million good reasons to take it on.
Text and image source: Redagricola.com
26 Sep 2024
Michigan is one of the world's leading producers. Almost 70% of all cherries grown in the United States come from Michigan. If the new Senate Bill 1003 is passed, cherries will be formally named the official fruit of the State of Michigan.
15 Jan 2025
The cherry, considered a gift among family and friends as a good omen for prosperity and health, is being sold for up to 50 per cent less than last season's prices, and there have been price drops even in the most sought-after varieties.
12 Mar 2026
Cherry bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae can severely damage orchards and reduce yields. Recent studies examine bacteriophages as a biocontrol strategy and highlight the role of bacterial antiviral defence systems in developing effective treatments.
12 Mar 2026
Founded in Zara in 1821, the Luxardo distillery built its reputation with Maraschino liqueur. After World War II destroyed the original plant, the family rebuilt the company in Italy’s Euganean Hills, preserving a historic tradition in cherry liqueur production.
