Nashik, India’s table grape export hub in Maharashtra, has clocked a grape export growth of 20 per cent by volume so far this season, which runs from January to April.
The growth brings it to around 18,000 tonnes up to 7 April, according to local agricultural officials, which predict exported volumes will hit 24,000 tonnes by the end of April.
“Around 1,500 containers from Nashik district have been exported so far by 7 April and it is expected to reach up to 2,000 containers by April end,” the official told the Times of India.
“In the last grape season, around 1,250 containers were exported from the district.”
Exports were destined for 14 different countries, the official said, largely in Europe.
A cold snap in early February cut back initial estimates that Nashik’s grape exports would hit 30,000 tonnes this season, the Times reported.
Nevertheless, the region is steadily recovering from its sudden drop last year, which saw heavy rains cut exports to 15,000 tonnes.
Nashik accounts for 75 per cent of Maharashtra’s grape export volumes, which in turn is responsible for 90 per cent of India’s grape exports.
