It's been a rather rough start for the Indian grape season due to weather conditions, says Swapnil Aware, board member of Indian grape exporter Mersel Foods: "The grape season in India for 2025-2026 has commenced under tense and uncertain conditions. The unusually early onset of the monsoon in May, followed by prolonged and intermittent rains, has had a significant impact on the fruitfulness of vineyards across major grape-growing regions."
The heavy rains have not stopped yet, causing several issues in the vineyards, according to Aware. "As of the latest updates, several parts of Maharashtra continue to experience rainfall. Typically, the pruning season in the state begins in mid-September, peaks in October, and concludes by November. However, this year's extended monsoon and reduced daylight during the rest period following April pruning have considerably lowered the fruitfulness of vines. The persistently humid climate during the monsoon months has also made the vineyards more susceptible to fungal diseases, further compounding the challenges faced by growers."
© Mersel Foods Private Limited
The stressful conditions have resulted in a reduced yield for the grapes, the range of which drastically changes depending on the clusters of the vineyards. Aware explains: "Continuous rains have led to waterlogging in several farms, stressing the vines and affecting bud development. Post-pruning observations have revealed that many fruit buds have turned into foliage rather than forming clusters, a direct consequence of these stressful conditions. This has understandably caused anxiety among the farming community. Preliminary assessments suggest a sharp reduction in yield across various vineyards, with some clusters reporting losses ranging from 20% to as high as 80%. However, based on an overall survey of the affected regions, the average yield loss for the season is estimated to be around 25-30%."
© Mersel Foods Private Limited
"The current situation underscores the urgent need for adaptive vineyard management practices to mitigate the effects of erratic weather patterns. Farmers are hopeful that with improved climatic conditions in the coming months, the vines may recover partially, offering some respite before the export season begins," Aware concludes.
For more information:
Mr. Samir Singh
Mersel Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: +371-29516075
Email: [email protected]
www.merselfoods.com
