Samunnati aids farmgate procurement, direct grape export to the Netherlands

Samunnati, India’s leading agricultural enterprise, has successfully facilitated farm gate procurement to direct export of 275 MT of Thomson seedless grapes to Netherlands for the Grapes Season 2023. This marks Samunnati's effort to support farmers to tap into the international export market, solidifying its commitment to making markets work for smallholder farmers. To ensure a seamless value chain, Samunnati facilitated farm gate procurement, end-to-end primary processing, cold storage, packaging, certification, all the way up to the export stage.

As quoted by export partner Pieter Kok, Managing Director of Vrugteboom International B.V, "We had a successful season with grapes from India this year, and we are happy to collaborate with Samunnati. This program of involving 275 tons proved to be highly efficient. The cooperation was exemplary, every aspect was handled meticulously, and prompt information was provided. Looking forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration next year!"

The success of Samunnati's efforts can be attributed to its extensive farmer network and robust partnerships. The outcome of the comprehensive approach of managing liquidity, coupled with the high efficiency of harvesting and packaging, resulted in a low rejection rate of just over 13% for the grapes exported. The procurement of grapes was exclusively sourced from Global GAP-certified farmers within a 100-square kilometre area of the packhouses, guaranteeing the highest standards of quality and safety. To meet stringent compliance requirements of the European Union, Samunnati obtained all necessary licenses and permits from relevant government authorities, including Agmark certification and APEDA-certified packhouse.

Sanjay Gore, a grape farmer from Nasik said, "Even if the season is good, it is the price and payment that affects us the most. This is where Samunnati proved invaluable to us. It ensured immediate payments, which greatly supported our operations. We are delighted with our association and their commitment to fair and prompt transactions." Operations of this nature need meticulous execution. It had to be ensured all grape suppliers were registered with the GI certification authority, reinforcing its commitment to upholding quality standards.

From the program inception in October 2022 to the receipt of final remittance in July 2023, the execution excellence culminated in the successful shipment of 20 containers of grapes. This achievement has not only benefited over three dozen local farmers but has also ensured they receive better value realisation for their produce. The farmers also received immediate payments as against delay of many weeks.

Commenting on the collaboration, Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO, Samunnati, said, "Our efforts in facilitating grape exports to the Netherlands exemplify the power of a solution-oriented approach in overcoming export challenges from streamlining certification processes to addressing infrastructure and warehousing requirements.

"By empowering farmers and driving positive change, these initiatives ensure that farmers receive the maximum benefits in terms of meeting their working capital requirements and better value realisation for their produce. It is also a valuable learning experience for Samunnati, inspiring us to pursue more opportunities and create an even greater impact in the future." 

Samunnati's efforts for farm gate procurement to direct export of grapes serve as a testament to the organisation's unwavering commitment to its vision of making markets work for smallholder farmers. This success not only marks a significant milestone but also paves the way for many more value chains.

Headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Samunnati has a presence in more than 100 agri value chains spread over 22 States in India and has powered over $1.9 Bn of gross transaction value in its journey so far. Samunnati currently has access to 4600+ Farmer Collectives with a member base of over 8 million farmers and envisions impacting 1 in every 4 farming households through its network by 2027, says a company press note.