Jupiter Group has reported on a successful season with the Arra 15 grape variety (marketed as Arra Sweeties) in India’s Nashik region.
The UK-headquartered company is the exclusive license holder for Arra grapes in India, in conjunction with its partners Sahyadri Farms.
Jupiter said the Arra 15 crop in Nashik filled 2,200 cartons (4.5kg) per hectare of production this season. This figure is expected to increase to approximately 5,000 cartons per hectare in 2021/22.
While there weren’t too many extreme weather changes in Nashik this season, up to 120mm of rain fell in some parts of the region in early January. Jupiter was pleased to report minimal damage to the crop.
“The quality and size of the bunches are impressive and even after two seasons of heavy rains, Arra 15 was not affected at all,” said Jupiter Group's table crape consultant Andre Vermaak. “I see a really great future for Arra 15 in India'.
Indian-grown Arra 15 was exported to the UK, Europe, China, Singapore, Malaysia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives this season.
Jupiter Group chief executive Mark Tweddle said Arra varieties have the potential to grow the value proposition for Indian grapes in international markets as production volumes ramp up over coming seasons.
“These are really exciting times for us in India,” explained Tweddle. “A dream that started in 2012 is coming to fruition, with the first commercial volumes of Arra 15 this season.
“We are now planting 400 acres of Arra 15, with 1,000 new acres planned for 2022, and we are also testing a further 12 new varieties.”
