Indian exporter Mahindra Shubhlabh (MSSL) has reportedly signed a contract with around 775 grape growers from Nashik and Sangli districts to source export-quality grapes.

MSSL was set up by engineering firm Mahindra Group in 2000 and has recorded a 17-fold increase in exports of grapes in last three years. In 2004-05, During the 2006-07 campaign, the company exported 102 containers of grapes to the Netherlands and the UK.

The company has set an export target of 250 containers of grapes 2007-08 season and expects to source 150 containers from Nashik district, and the remaining 100 containers from Sangli district, through contract farming.

In Nashik district, MSSL has signed contracts with 700 grape growers to source export quality grapes from their 1,600 acres of vineyards. In Sangli district, the company has signed contracts with 75 grape growers to source grapes from their 350 acres of vineyards,” said a company representative.

“Our aim is to provide a one-stop channel through which Indian farmers can access all products, services, knowledge and information that would be required to produce grapes of ‘Shubhlabh quality’,” he added.

The UK is the company’s largest export market, with fruit going into both Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

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