Containers of perishables stranded at JNPA, await green signal from Gulf

Mumbai: The conflict between the US-Israel and Iran is causing anxiety among Indian exporters of fruit and vegetables. Shipments of perishable commodities to the Middle East are facing the highest impact. Hundreds of containers bearing onion, grapes and fresh produce are held up at the JNPA port, awaiting booking or clearance.Alphonso farmers fear the upcoming mango season may be a damp squib for export in case the conflict prolongs.
Container lines have suspended services to the Middle East and are diverting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope — a move that is adding to transit time, costs and congestion at Indian ports. Port authorities say currently around 1,000 containers are stuck at Mumbai ports, mainly the JNPA.Sunil Vaswani, executive director of the Container Shipping Lines Association (India), flagged the immediate concern as cargo piling up at Indian ports. "Containers continue to come in, creating congestion. Port personnel are working with us," he said.Exporters say delays threaten to raise costs of refrigeration. If the stalemate continues, prices will fall in local markets as export consignments may be diverted here. Demand for fruit and vegetables in the Gulf countries leaps during the ongoing month of Ramzan so more shipments have been scheduled.Exporter-supplier Sanjay Pansare said over 150 containers of banana, pomegranate, watermelon and onion are held up due to the disruption. "Around 200 containers may have to be brought back and sold in the domestic market. That will weaken prices and cause losses across the entire supply chain," he said.Trade sources say 150 containers of grapes from Maharashtra were held up after arriving from JNPA at Dubai port. Over 200 containers of banana headed for the Middle East are stranded at JNPT, creating a growing backlog at the port, said fruit exporter Yunus Bagwan of Chand Fruits Company. He added that the financial strain was mounting. "Exporters may have to pay about Rs 8,500 per day per container as daily expenditure while the shipments remain stuck," Bagwan said.With banana volumes piling up and export movement slowing, wholesale prices have fallen from Rs 25 per kg to Rs 15. Traders warn that rates could slide further given the stalemate. Exporter Sambit Patnaik from S R Praelia said, "Shipments to Europe remain largely unaffected for now, offering some relief. But Gulf shipments have completely halted."Scores of containers of onion, a key export, meant for the Gulf are stranded at JNPA too, said APMC trader Ashok Walunj. Local wholesale prices so far remain steady at Rs 10-16 per kg.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !