Indian grape exports to Europe doubled in FY 2016

The Dollar Business Bureau

Indian grape exports to Europe have been doubled in FY 2016 when compared to the last fiscal year. Though India has become an importer of several other agricultural commodities like maize, wheat and soya bean, the grape exports from the country have touched all-time high in this financial year.

India has recorded 102% growth in grape exports at 84,482 tonnes of grapes exported to Europe till May 10, when compared to 41,783 tonnes exported in the previous year. Some final shipments of grapes are still in the transit. Around 98% of Indian grapes exported to Europe are from Maharashtra alone.

Maharashtra farmers have exported grapes at a price lower than that exported from Chile. Indian grapes have been sold at 8-10 euros per box while Chilean grapes were sold at 10-12 euros per box, according to Jagannath Khapre, President of All India Grape Exporters Association.

He said that the total grape exports from India may go beyond 2 lakh tonnes this year, while the previous high was 1.92 lakh tonnes till now. Grapes from the country are mostly exported to Europe and West Asia. Bangladesh, Russia and China are few other countries where grapes are being exported from India.

Expressing similar views, Ashok Motiani, Managing Director of Freshtrop Fruits said that India has become a trusted supplier of grapes to Europe due to good quality and affordable price. Indian grapes could stand firm in the European market in this financial year, he said.