Grape exports: ‘15% dip likely’

Grape growers in Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, and other parts of the state started the harvest late for the marking year 2022-23 (December to November).

Unlike other years, when the arrivals taper down after March to finish in April, this year, the harvest has been continuous and steady in March also.

Amid the current spell of rain and hailstorms in Maharashtra, the export of grapes is set to be hit. Crops across the state have been affected due to rain and hailstorms since the start of this month, according to rough estimates.

Grape growers in Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, and other parts of the state started the harvest late for the marking year 2022-23 (December to November). Unlike other years, when the arrivals taper down after March to finish in April, this year, the harvest has been continuous and steady in March also. With a long dry spell and a clear sky, the quality of grapes and sugar content was also said to be good. Despite initial hiccups amid market uncertainty, shipments picked up with many exporters.

However, extensive damage has been recently reported due to rain and hailstorms. Vilas Shinde, CMD of Nashik-based Sahyadri Farms, which is the largest grapes exporter in the country, said initial estimates suggest around 15 per cent dip in exports. “Damages like cracking of the berries have totally reduced chances of exports. The quality concern would seriously negate the exports,” he said. Last year, the country exported 7,818 containers of grapes (each container having between 13-14 tonnes). Till now, the country has exported around 4,500 containers. “Unfortunately the hailstorms came at a time when we were foreseeing good exports, thanks to the demand from overseas markets,” he said.

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This will be the first time in the last four-five years that grape growers have suffered from hailstorms. While unseasonal rains made their presence felt, there were no hailstorms in recent years. Cracked berries result in heavy losses for farmers as they have to sell their produce at low prices. Such berries find use in winemaking and raisin factories.

Overall, since the start of March, the state has reported crop damage across several thousands of hectares. The districts of Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Pune, Solapur, Sangli, Satara, Beed, Nanded, Buldhana, and Washim have suffered.

Parthasarathi Biswas

Partha Sarathi Biwas is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express with 10+ years of experience in reporting on Agriculture, Commodities and Developmental issues. He has been with The Indian Express since 2011 and earlier worked with DNA. Partha's report about Farmers Producer Companies (FPC) as well long pieces on various agricultural issues have been cited by various academic publications including those published by the Government of India. He is often invited as a visiting faculty to various schools of journalism to talk about development journalism and rural reporting. In his spare time Partha trains for marathons and has participated in multiple marathons and half marathons. ... Read More

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