New Varieties of Grapes Introduced To Boost Export.

 PUNE: New varieties of grapes suitable for exports to European Union (EU) countries have been introduced in the country, mainly in Maharashtra. The new varieties were selected because of their strong presence in Chile - one of the competitors in export and a major supplier of green and less sweet grapes to EU countries.

Sunil Pawar, chairman of Pune division of Maharashtra Grape Growers' Federation (Mahagrape) said, "Varieties like Marquis, Blush Seedless and Autumn King have been introduced after completion of testing at the Manjri-based research centre. The Union and state governments provided assistance for getting the right varieties, procuring information about their cultivation practices and adaptability of the subtropical crop into tropical region like India. Low production cost and higher productivity as compared to the existing varieties are the key features of the new varieties."

Grape export from the country has shown a rise since 2001, except the last few years, where growing domestic demand diverted some export quality produce to the domestic market and attracted good returns. The country's major export is to EU countries and west Asian countries, where the grapes have to go through stringent tests.

Apart from countries like Italy and France, India's grapes directly compete with grapes from Chile in the EU market. To outsmart the competition, the Indian growers' federation has decided to grow the same varieties grown in Chile as well as other countries at lower cost, said Pawar.

Out of 64,300 hectares of area under cultivation in the country, about 42,000 hectares are in Maharashtra - in Nashik and Sangli districts. Other districts are also developing their grape farms as the domestic market is also growing.

In the previous year, Indian grapes were rejected on the charges of excess usage of growth hormone, which resulted in heavy losses for the farmers. This in turn affected this year's export, which fell by 50 per cent. With these new varieties, we can re-enter the market with more preparations, said Pawar.

India's advantage is that the grapes are produced during January to April, whereas countries like US, Argentina or Italy produce grapes between September and December.

A senior official from the Manjri grape research centre said on condition anonymity, "Indian grapes taste sweeter and also turn yellow early. Compared to it, the new varieties remain greener and are not so sweet - which is appreciated by the EU customers. The new varieties have been planted on some farms in Nashik and Pune, which would start exporting by February 2013." The varieties also bear fruits in comparatively shorter period, which would benefit the farmers, said the official.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com