The Global Agriculture Information Network has come up with new world estimate for Indian apples and grapes. India's apple production might remain unchanged and restricted import measures will somehow help domestic producers. India’s production is estimated to remain unchanged at 2.4 million tons amid expectations of late monsoon rains. Lower shipments from Iraq and Pakistan, a continued ban on China apples, and retaliatory tariffs on US apples are expected to drive imports nearly 40 per cent lower, to 175,000 tons.
Table grapes
Shetkari Sangthna president Anil Singh Ghanwat has stated that pre lockdown harvest of grapes was very good at parts of Maharashtra. However, the lockdown has really affected the situation. It could lead them to have huge challenge due to high loans, informed Ghanwat. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects a major drop in exports of Indian table grapes.
It projects that India’s production is expected to rise only 200,000 tons to 3.0 million tons, as heavy rains in September and October affected yields in northern Maharashtra. Additional later-season rains also lowered quality, predicts USDA. Reduced levels of export-quality supplies and the impact of domestic COVID-19 measures are anticipated to cut exports sharply by 45 per cent to 135,000 ton. This may strengthen doubts about Ghanwat as investments may not produce good returns due to a major drop in grape exports.
