Grape exports rise by 13,000 tonne this season.

PUNE: The state has reported grape export of 36,691 tonne in the current season, higher by 13,000 tonne compared to last year. Among the importers, the Netherlands is at the top by importing 21,036 tonne grapes this year.

Two years ago, farmers had suffered a loss when their grape consignments were rejected by the European Union countries on the ground that residue of a growth hormone was found to have crossed the permissible limit. Farmers had incurred heavy losses as they had invested more in harvesting, conducting various tests and other preparations required for exports. The gravity of losses was worst for farmers who had turned exporters as they were new in the business and had invested huge money in sourcing export quality grapes from other farmers as well.

In subsequent years, grape cultivators preferred selling their produce in domestic markets while some chose to export it to countries like Bangladesh, Gulf countries and some containers to Russia and Far East. The returns were slightly better than the rates in domestic markets.

Grape harvesting starts in December and containers from the Mumbai port leave for European Union countries in the first week of February. The export continues till first week of May.

Pandurang Watharkar, director, processing and planning, state department of agriculture, said, "The state has exported 36,691 tonne to EU countries this year, which is higher by 13,000 tonne compared to total export of the previous year. The state had exported 22,490 tonne by May 2011. Another important aspect of this year's export is the drop in rejection of samples at the testing level. As many as 3,904 samples were rejected last year, due to which similar number of grape farms were excluded from exporters list. These farmers either exported grapes to non-EU countries or sold them in domestic markets. This year, only 300 samples were rejected during the tests."

When asked about the sudden rise, he said, "An automotive company has ventured into agri business and they are pumping in huge investment. This year, the company alone has exported 4,310 tonne followed by another firm exporting 4,104 tonne. Among the first five firms, not a single is founded by farmer this year. Mahagrape, the association of grape growers in the state, is on 17th number with total export of 486 tonne."

The private companies have their own network, credibility and strong financial support to absorb any shock in the business. The local farmers do not have such cushions; hence after the 2010 experience, they completely stopped their business, Watharkar said.

This year, Andhra Pradesh has also exported 197 tonne grapes, while Karnataka growers preferred not to export to EU countries.

Jagannath Khapre, president of Grape Exporters Association of India, said, "The farmers will get average rate of Rs 40 per kg from export. The rates for export in other countries like Russia, African countries; Bangladesh and the Far East are not as good as the EU but compared to the local market, export always offers higher rates. In some local markets, grapes could not fetch a rate of Rs 30 per kg."

A grape cultivator needs to invest minimum Rs 3 lakh per hectare which would yield 10 tonne grape.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com