Head for Lalbagh for India-China apples

The Horticultural Producers’ Co-operative Marketing and Processing Society Limited (Hopcoms) will organise a four-day exhibition-cum-sale of India-China apples and pears at Lalbagh starting Thursday.

Ten varieties of apples from the United States, Turkey and China will be on display but only four varieties of apples from China will be up for sale.

Hopcoms managing director Belluru Krishna told reporters on Tuesday that the event would give people an opportunity to buy imported apples at a discount of 10-15%. Hopcoms president G R Srinivasan said that 22 tonnes of apple imported from China would be sold at the fair. “We hope to sell the entire stock. Based on the response, we will place an order for the next fair,” he said. While March is off-season for India-produced apples, China preserves the fruit for sale in off-season.

On the inaugural day of the event, farmers from Karnataka will take part in an interactive
session and get the opportunity to explore business options with Chinese importers. Nearly 13 importers will attend the session. Sophie Jiang, a representative of Baishui Shenglong Fruits Industry Co Ltd, said she was glad to do business in Bengaluru for the first time and expected a good consumer response as a rich variety of apples was brought here from her country.