Those who fancy chocolates from China are in for a shock with the Government banning import of chocolates and chocolate products from that country.
The Minister for Commerce and Industry, Mr Anand Sharma, said in the Lok Sabha on Monday that the ban was imposed following reports that Chinese dairy products contained traces of melamine.
India had banned import of milk and milk products from China last September and the ban has now been extended to chocolates, he said.
Industry sources said that imported Chinese chocolates are available mainly in the grey market. “The packaging is attractive and many a time the product does not even comply with labelling norms. It is mostly imported through wholesale and container channels, thereby avoiding the customary inspections.”
India’s per capita consumption of chocolate stands at 40 gm against 10 kg in the UK. The total chocolate industry is estimated at Rs 2,000 crore and a mere 5-10 per cent would comprise imports,” Mr Bobby Agarwal, COO, Godrej Hershey, said.
On the impact of the ban, Mr Anand Kripalu, Managing Director of Cadbury, said, “Banning of imports is not going to have a significant impact as whatever brands that are on the shelves do not come from China. Most brands, such as Mars come from Europe and West Asia. Even brands such as Ferrero Rocher are now being made in India.”
The Indian Confectionery Manufacturers Association’s Mr M. N. Rao said “the ban may affect the toffee business in which the Chinese have marginal presence.”
Source : Business Line