At 1.4 lakh tonnes, Nashik grape exports hit all-time high

NASHIK: The district has recorded an all-time high export of 1.43 lakh tonne of grapes during the current season, which culminates on April 30. The grape season lasts for five months beginning December. The previous all-time high was recorded at 1.31 lakh tonne during the 2016-17 grape season.

Also, the district has recorded 40% rise in export of grape this year as compared to that of last year where 1.02 lakh tonne of grapes were exported.

"The export season has been impressive this year as the district recorded an all-time high of export. Moreover, the district also recorded around 40% rise in export figures compared to that of last year," an official from the state agriculture department said.
According to him, weather conditions were good and there had been no unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms during the harvest. "The season has almost ended and it may add around 100 tonne to the export," he added.
This season there had been rise in registration of vineyards for export purpose also as it is mandatory as per norms of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Of the 1.41 lakh tonne, 1.10 lakh tonne has been exported to European countries like The Netherlands (69,000 tonne), Germany (20,000 tonne) and United Kingdom (19,700 tonne).
The remaining 33,000 tonne have been exported to non-European countries like Russia (25,500 tonne), Dubai (1,500 tonne), Canada (1,200 tonne) and China (600 tonne).
"Initially the price of grapes was better, but it declined later due to rise in supply. It again improved during the last one month. Overall, the grape season was good due to better weather conditions," Manik Patil, office-bearer of Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagayatdar Sangh (MRDBS), said.