The situation for grapes in India appears to be even more dire than previously estimated, says Swapnil Aware, board member of Indian grape exporter Mersel Foods: "With the weather finally clearing this week, the overall scenario for this grape season has become much clearer, and significantly more concerning. The yield loss, which was earlier estimated at around 25 to 30 per cent, has now surged to 50 to 55 per cent across several growing regions."
© Mersel Foods Private Limited
It's not just the rain that the grape growers have to deal with, Aware emphasizes. "Following continuous rains, growers are now facing a new set of challenges. The shift to clearer skies has brought early morning dew and persistent fog, which have created ideal conditions for inflorescence rot and berry shredding, Coulure. These issues have further reduced productivity and added stress to an already difficult season. Despite the setbacks, farmers remain resilient, working tirelessly to salvage what they can from the remaining crops. We are in constant communication with our growers, closely monitoring developments in the fields to secure the planned volumes."
Aware expects prices to react to this new reality, as supply will be limited: "The increased yield loss is expected to have a notable impact on market prices. Prices are likely to be higher than last season, influenced by both reduced availability and domestic demand pressures. Additionally, there are concerns about the overall quality of produce entering the market this year, given the weather-related challenges."
"As we move forward, we sincerely hope that the unpredictable rains remain behind us and that the rest of the season progresses smoothly," Aware concludes.
For more information:
Mr. Samir Singh
Mersel Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: +371-29516075
Email: [email protected]
www.merselfoods.com
