This is despite a delayed start to the export season and negative factors such as a duty increase by one of the major buyers, Bangladesh, and slower shipments to Russia due to the war situation, according to exporters.
"Demand from Europe is strong. We expect this year's exports to exceed those of 2019," said Vilas Shinde, Chairman and Managing Director of Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company Ltd (Sahyadri Farms), a major fresh grape exporter.
India's grape exports reached an all-time high of $335 million in 2018-19, but have since fallen due to factors such as a Covid-related lockdown, soaring freight rates caused by global logistics challenges, and a drop in output due to inclement weather. Despite the fact that the export season was delayed by a fortnight this year and began in the third week of January due to the impact of unfavourable weather, shipments have picked up and gained pace.
Europe accounts for over one lakh tonnes of the nearly 2.4 lakh tonnes of fresh grapes exported from India, followed by Bangladesh at around 60,000 tonnes. The remainder is accounted for by other geographies such as West Asia and Russia.
According to the most recent APEDA data, India shipped out grapes worth $69.65 million during the April-November period of the current fiscal year, a 23% increase over the same period last year. Because grapes are a short-season fruit, the majority of fresh grape shipments occur between January and March. India is currently the world's 11th largest grape exporter, with shipments increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.6% over the last decade.
"This year will be good for grape exports. We will do very well," said APEDA Chairman M Angamuthu. "Because of our strong traceability system, upgraded with blockchain technology, we have managed to tap the high-value European market, which has given a boost to grape exports. "APEDA is attempting to enter new markets while also improving product diversification and value addition," Angamuthu added.
India's grape exports in 2021-22 were $305.7 million, a 2.6% decrease from the previous year's $314 million. During 2021-22, the top ten grape export destinations were the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Grape production is expected to be 3.47 million tonnes in 2021-22, up from 3.358 million tonnes in 2020-21, according to the third advance estimate.
