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. 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.

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.