India doubles its grape exports to Europe

PUNE: Exports of grapes from India touched an all-time high in 2015-16, with exports to Europe more than doubling compared to that in the previous financial year, even as India became an importer of many other commodities such as maize, wheat and soyabean.

Using tanker water, farmers from Maharashtra, which accounts for nearly 98% of grapes shipped during the fiscal, exported grapes at a price cheaper than that charged by Chile. By May 10, with the last few shipments of grapes still in transit, India had exported 84,482 tonnes of grapes to Europe compared to 41,783 tonnes exported a year ago, a growth of 102%.

“We expect the total exports to be over 2 lakh tonnes. The earlier high was 1.92 lakh tonnes,” said Jagannath Khapre, president of All India Grape Exporters Association. Apart from Europe and West Asia, Bangladesh, the Far East, Russia and China are the other export destinations for Indian grapes. Compared to 10-12 euros per box of Chilean grapes, Indian grapes were sold at 8-10 euros per box.

“Because of good quality and cheaper price, India was able to establish itself in the European market as a reliable supplier of grapes,” said Ashok Motiani, managing director of Freshtrop Fruits.