Shropshire fruit grower and exporter awarded table grape exclusivity in India in ‘unprecedented move’
Shropshire-based international fruit grower and exporter Jupiter Group has been awarded the exclusive production and marketing rights for the ARRA table grape varieties in India.
Grapa Varieties, a global family business that specialises in breeding and commercialising premium table grape varieties worldwide, said the deal with Jupiter Group was an “unprecedented move.”
At only two months in, 2019’s highlights are stacking up swiftly for Jupiter Group, after it recently revealed its top 25 ranking in the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 for the second consecutive year.
The business made the list of the UK’s top performing private mid-market companies, and is set to keep on growing as a result of its success in India and other regions.
The group, which has already trialled the ARRA varieties in the region with success, is expecting a volume harvest as early as 2020 for export to global markets.
Jupiter CEO Mark Tweddle said: “It’s great to see the strong relationship we have with Grapa develop further this year as we expand our Indian supply as growers. To have physical control right from variety generation through to the consumer retailer offers a transparency that reflects our core values as a business.
“I truly believe the development of the ARRA varieties will positively change the demand for Indian grape and bring the market into its own as a key supply in the annual table grape supply calendar.
“To be granted the exclusive production and marketing rights is an excellent and exciting step forward for the group.”
Grapa CEO Rafi Karniel said: “We are very proud of our ever-strengthening relationship. The Jupiter Group, in just a few years, will become the largest producer and marketer of ARRA grapes worldwide.
“It is a great honour for Grapa Varieties to be the first table grape breeding program to enter India, there is huge potential in this vast country and we trust that the strong co-operation between the Jupiter Group and Grapa Varieties will make the program a great success.”
