Nashik grape exports up 13.77% in FY 07

Earns foreign currency amounting to Rs 95 cr.

Nashik district, which is known as the grape capital of India, has recorded a 13.77 per cent rise in export of grapes during fiscal 2006-07 as compared to last year, earning a foreign exchange of Rs 95 crore. Since 2001-02, Nashik's grape exports have risen almost five-fold from 3,775.37 tonnes to 19,000 tonnes in (2006-07).

Nashik is known for its grapes as it makes up 55 per cent of the grapes exported from the country and 75 per cent of grapes exported from the state.

Dhananjay Wardekar, Agriculture Officer, told Business Standard, "In 2005-06, 16,700 tonnes of grapes were exported. Till date, 19,000t of grapes have been exported to UK, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Russia, Belgium, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Norway and Taiwan. The total exports of grapes amounts to Rs 95 crore. Nashik district has been registering a continuous growth in exports of grapes, every year. In the last five-six years, Nashik's grape exports have risen five-fold from 3,775.37 tonnes (2001-02) to 19,000 tonnes (2006-07)."

"There are about 131 grape exporting firms in Nashik. In 2006-07, around 11,938 grape-growers were given registration certificates by the Office of the District Agriculture Superintendent, for export of their grapes. Phyto Sanitary certificates, which are compulsory for grape exporters as per guidelines of APEDA, were given to 1,500 exporters," Wardekar said.

Local firms such as Freshtrop Fruits Ltd. exported maximum quantity of grapes this year (2006-07) i.e 1,270.53t. Other top six firms, which exported maximum quantity of grapes, include Mahindra Shubhlabh (708t), N D Grapes (672.77t), Fieldfresh Foods Pvt Ltd (623.88t), Indyaglobal Venture (617.66t), Atharva International (591.72t) and Kalya Export (567.60t).

In 2006-07, the total area under grape cultivation in Nashik district had increased by 5,000 hectares to 35,000 hectares. The area under wine grape varieties had also doubled this year. Wine grape varieties were cultivated on around 600 hectares. The total investment in the district vineyards (in 2006-07) was estimated at Rs. 2,625 crore. More than 6 lakh mt of grapes were produced in the district and grapes productivity was 20 mt per hectare.