Grape production in Nashik, India is set to increase by 55% in the current season 2015-2016 (Dec-May); last year the vineyards in the district were badly hit by unseasonal rain and hail in February and March, which caused production to decline by 30% to 1 million tonnes during the the 2014-15 season, from 1.4 million in the 2013-14 season. This year production could increase to 1.6 million tonnes.
Kailas Bhosle, chairman of the science committee of Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagayatdar Sangh (MRDBS), said, "The grape harvest has already begun in the district. This year, the produce is very good due to good climatic conditions. There was a drop in the minimum temperature but just for a few days. Now, climatic conditions are favourable for vineyards."
He added, "This year, the area under grape cultivation in the district has increased from 150,000 acres to 175,000 acres."
Bhosale said the productivity is also good this year at around 9 metric tonnes per acre.
The total area under grape cultivation in Maharashtra is around 300,000 acres, including 175,000 acres in the Nashik district. Of the 175,000 acres, 172,000 acres are planted with table grapes, while the remaining 3,000 acres are wine grape varieties.
Nashik district is a major exporter of grapes. The state contributes 95% of the total grape exports of the country, while Nashik district contributes 70% of Maharashtra's share.
The grape export of the district declined by 26% to 49,768 metric tonnes during the last grape season of 2014-15 (Dec-April), against the export of 67,244 metric tonnes during 2013-14 grape season.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
