Grape exports from Nashik to rise 15%

Nashik, the largest grape-growing region in the country, is expected to export 20,000 tonne of the fruit in the current season, reflecting a rise of 15 per cent over the exports in the previous season.

"This grape season, we have set an export target of 20,000 tonne with a turnover of Rs 500 crore," said Agriculture Officer Dhananjay Wardekar.

Exports from Nashik district have increased five-fold from 3,775 tonne in 2001-02 to 17,480 tonne in 2005-06. Grapes from the district are in demand in nine countries, including Russia, Holland, Belgium, the UK and Germany.

The total area under grape cultivation in the district has increased by 10,000 hectare to 35,000 hectare, with a total investment of Rs 2,625 crore. The acreage under wine grape varieties has also doubled this year to 600 hectare.

However, the number of growers in the district, who have registered their vineyards for exports, declined by 21 per cent in the current season to 6,700 from 8,152 in the previous season.

The number of vineyards registered for exports also dropped to 11,836 in the 2007 season compared with 14,632 in the previous season.

The drop in the number of growers is because of the unseasonal rains that had lashed the district last November.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has made registration of grape growers for exports compulsory since the last two years to promote the quality of exports.