Nashik, the largest grape-growing region in the country, is expected to export 30,000 tonnes of grapes in the current (December-March) grape season, reflecting a rise of 8.5 per cent over the exports in the previous season.
Nashik has geared up for the new grape season. The office of superintending agriculture officer has projected an 8.5 per cent rise in grape exports in the current season at 30,000 tonnes.
“We have set the target of exporting 30,000 tonnes of grapes in the current season. Revenues of around Rs 150 crore will be generated if the export target, set for the current season, is achieved,” Dhananjay Wardekar, Agriculture Officer, told Business Standard.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has made registration of vineyards compulsory for grape-growers, who want to export their grapes, for the last four years to promote export quality grapes production. Accordingly, the office of superintending agriculture officer has started registering vineyards, but its details are still awaited.
“Last grape season (2007-08), around 14,396 grape-growers were given registration certificates by the office of superintending agriculture officer, for export of their grapes. Around 2,143 Phyto Sanitary certificates, which are compulsory for grape exporters as per guidelines of Apeda, were given to these exporters,” Wardekar added.
In the current 2008-09 grape season, the total area under grape cultivation is around 40,000 hectares. More than 700,000 tonnes grapes are expected to be produced in the current season as grape productivity in the district is 20 tonnes per hectare.
Nashik district is known for producing large quantity of grapes and it contributes 55 per cent to the country’s and 75 per cent of Maharashtra’s grape exports. Nashik district is registering continuous growth in exports of grapes, every year. In the last 6-7 years, Nashik’s grape exports have increased seven-fold from 3,775.37 tonnes (2001-02) to 27,650 tonnes (2007-08).”
In 2007-08 season, around 27,650 tonnes of grapes were exported from Nashik district to 13 countries- UK, Holland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Russia, Belgium, Dubai, Singapur, Hongkong, Norway, Netherland and Taiwan.