Keeping India's grapes fresh, from vineyard to table

Each year, as Europe prepares for the arrival of India’s grape season, the first steps begin far from the retail shelves. In the orchards of Nashik, farmers harvest at the moment when sweetness, colour and firmness come together. From that point, every touchpoint in the supply chain matters.

Once the reefer container with grapes reaches the terminal, the focus turns to protecting its freshness across thousands of kilometres. The grape season allows no pause. Shelf life is short, and any delay affects quality. This year, that challenge was heightened. A late monsoon slowed cultivation and disruptions in the Middle East created uncertainty for vessel connections. To keep cargo moving, resilience had to come before the first box arrived.

A dedicated reefer storage area was set up inside the yard, supported by allocated rail positions to maintain smooth container flow. Each refrigerated container is monitored throughout its stay, with any temperature deviation handled immediately by on‑site reefer technicians.

Reefer capacity was strengthened through nine hundred plug points and a further two hundred supplied through hired diesel generator sets. This ensured every grape box remained protected and ready for its onward journey.

Ahead of the season, discussions with reefer customers helped identify challenges and refine processes. That collaboration continues to shape a smoother, more predictable experience for growers, exporters and carriers throughout the season.

Despite the pressures on global trade, close to 16,780 TEU of refrigerated cargo moved through the terminal during the grape season, representing 64% of the market’s seasonal flow. The vessel Los Angeles Express recorded the highest ever single‑vessel export for the terminal with 694 moves for 1,383 TEU. Across the season, 19,326 TEU or 9,742 moves of export reefers were handled while maintaining 99.9% IOS vessel schedule reliability.

For European families, the final experience is simple – sweet, fresh grapes on the shelf and at their homes . Behind that moment sits a season of preparation, timing and coordination to bring the fruit from India’s  Nashik’s orchards to Europe in the best possible condition.

The journey strengthens each year, supported by a shared commitment to quality and reliability.