Indian grapes seem to have hit the sweet spot in the world markets, with the country's exports in 2018-19 (Apr-Mar) likely to top the 200,000-ton mark for the first time and touch a record high of around 215,000 tons.
The Chinese, too, have taken a liking to Indian grapes, as is evident from the surge in exports to 2,250 tons so far this financial year from 607 tons in 2017-18. The previous record high was 198,471 tons in 2016-17. Last year India exported 188,221 tons of grapes, as per Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority data.
China has emerged as a new destination as it is likely to import large quantities of Indian table grapes, a source in the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority said.
"Demand from China is likely to rise further as their market reopened from over a week-long new year holidays earlier this month," said an office bearer of Nashik-based farmer producer company. China and Australia have agreed to import Indian grapes in the last couple of years, which has boosted India's exports.
So far this year, exports have risen over 11% to 31,182 tons compared to the corresponding period a year ago, data on the farm export monitoring agency's website showed. Meanwhile, exports to China have surged to 2,250 tons, while it exported 607 tons grapes to China in 2017-18.
According to report, the Netherlands is the largest importer of Indian grapes followed by Russia, the UK, Germany and United Arab Emirates, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority data showed.
