Indian Grape Exports Thrive Despite Uncertainty & Crop Losses

India exported 7,932 containers (each container containing 15 tonnes of grapes) by April 10, up from 7,626 containers transported out during the same period previous season. Due to a global freight and shipping backlog, Indian exports, particularly Agri exports, have suffered over the last two seasons.

Grape exporters were concerned about lower-than-normal demand from Europe at the start of the 2022-23 season due to fears of a recession. Vilas Shinde, CMD of Nashik-based Sahyadri Farms (the country's largest grape exporter), had previously stated that the dual whammies expected this season would result in 10-15% lower exports.

"Exporters were caught off guard as demand from European markets increased right at the start of the season. In the vital growth months of September to November, Maharashtra, the country's largest producer and exporter of grapes, experienced no unseasonal rainfall."

"As a result, we were able to meet export demands from Europe and the United Kingdom because high-quality produce was readily available," Shinde explained. Shinde, citing the data, stated that if not for the unseasonal rains in March and April, Indian exports would have reached an all-time high. Nashik, Pune, and Ahmednagar, the state's three largest grape growers, saw unseasonal rainfall in March, with grapes, pomegranate, and vegetable crops suffering the brunt of the damage.

Rains in March, according to Shinde, decreased predicted export figures by 15%. The state is under the grip of yet another season of heavy rains and hailstorms, which have caused considerable damage to harvest-ready crops. "The last 10% of the crop has reported berry cracking as a result of hailstorms," he stated.

Fresh or table grapes from India have earned a name for themselves in European and other foreign markets because they are available when product from South Africa and South America is not. In terms of quantity and monetary value, European Union countries are the most important destination for Indian grapes. During the 2021-22 season, India exported 2.63 lakh tonnes of grapes, earning a total of $305 million from the cargo.