The chlormequat dispute with the EU over chemical residue levels has cost the Indian grape industry heavily.

It is estimated that the chlormequat chloride issue has cost the Indian grape industry around Rs2.5bn (£34.5 million), the Times of India reported.

The EU revised its import protocols in December 2009, and shipments of Indian grapes were stopped at European ports after traces of chlormequat, a grape sizing agent not prohibited in India, were found in them.

The maximum residue level for the chemical had been 1.6mg per kg, but was changed to 0.05mg per kg and the Netherlands and Germany, both major markets for Indian grapes, refused to accept the fruit.

"The state exported 46,628 tonnes of grapes in 3,750 containers. The first 700 to 800 containers were accepted by the UK and Russia and received better prices," said Jagannath Khapare, chairman of the Grape Exporters Association (GEA).

"The remaining grapes were sold at an average price of €4 per kg. The importers chose to sell grapes at such lower prices to control the damage."

Khapare said grape exporters from Maharashtra, India's premier grape growing state, had lodged claims for government compensation at both state and national level.

India's table grape exports were worth around $79.56m in 2008/09, up from $48.28m in 2005/06.