Against a production of 3.2 mln tonnes in 2018-19, the 2019-20 figure is expected to decline to 2.0-2.2 mln tonnes, says Jagannath Khapare, head of exports, Maharashtra State Grape Growers Association. The grape production in Maharashtra has been hit by an estimated 40 per cent in the 2019-20 (December-March) season due to delayed monsoon, according to Maharashtra State Grape Growers Association.
Every year, from November-end to March, grapes arrive in the market on a large scale, touching a peak in January. This January, however, there has been a sharp drop in the arrival of grapes.
“The early grape vineyards were completely damaged,” Jagannath Khapare said, adding that production of 2.0-2.2 mln tonnes would be achieved if weather conditions are normal in the coming days. Khapare added that the late cultivation grapes would be start arriving in the market after February.
Last week’s rain in some parts of Nashik district once again damaged the crop in vineyards. “Last year, almost 70 containers were exported during the grape season and this year hardly 10 containers could be sent for exports,” he said.
