UK strain of virus takes a toll on Nashik vegetable exports

NASHIK: The more infectious strain of the coronavirus, that has recently been detected in the United Kingdom, has adversely affected the export of fresh vegetables from Nashik to London in December 2020.
According to Halcon — a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and the Container Corporation of India (Concor) — Nashik had exported roughly 90 tonne of vegetables to London in December 2020.
The export volume was significantly lower than the 341 tonne exported in December 2019.
In November 2020, around 260 tonne of vegetables were exported to London — down from 328 tonne of exported in November 2019.
Exporters in Nashik send the vegetable supplies to the Mumbai airport by road. The vegetables are then sent to other countries by air.
Vegetables like okra, luffa, chilli and other green vegetables are usually exported directly from Nashik to London.
The traders execute all export-related processes, including customs clearance and other permissions, at the Halcon’s air cargo complex and inland container depot (ICD) that is adjacent to the existing airport at Ozar, around 20 km from Nashik city.
“There had been good demand for vegetables from Nashik. Nashik exports more than 300 tonne of vegetables to London from Nashik every month. But the detection of the new strain of coronavirus has badly affected the exports to London,” said Sudhakar Sen, the chief executive officer of Halcon.
“The demand for vegetables is there. However, the problem is that all flights to London have been cancelled. We are unable to send the vegetables,”said Paras Jobanputra, an exporter.
“We expect the situation to improve. Hopefully, we will be able to send vegetables to London soon,” he added.
“Meanwhile, we are sending vegetables to other countries like Qatar. The new strain of coronavirus has affected the vegetable export volumes,” he too added.