Grapes News: Nashik District Sees 40% Rise in Grape Production

During the current grape season 2015-16 (Dec-April), Grape production in the Nashik district has increased by almost 40% to 14 lakh tonnes so far as compared to the last year because of better climatic conditions. The district had 10 lakh tonnes during the grape season in last year.

Around 90% of the vineyards have been harvested so far, while the rest are expected to be harvested by April-end. The production is expected to touch 15.5 lakh tonnes by the time the season concludes, says the grape-growers body.

This grape season, the total areas under grape plantation in the district has increased from 1.50 lakh acres last year to 1.75 lakh acres. In Maharashtra, the total area under grape plantations is around 3 lakh acres, of which, 98% of the plantation are of table grapes, while the remaining 2% is of wine grape varieties.

"The harvest season is about the end. Around 90% of the vineyards in the district have been harvested, while rest of 10% (20,000 acres) are to be harvested by April 25," Kailas Bhosle, Chairman of the Science Committee of the Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagayatdar Sangh (MRDBS).

Bhosle further said, "Initially, grower sold grapes in the range of Rs 20-25 per kg, against Rs 50 per kg last year. Around 50% of the total vineyards were sold in this range. The farmers started getting rates up to Rs 40, but only in the last phases of the season. Around 20% of the produce was sold at Rs 40 per kg."

"The farmers got better rates for wine grape varieties as compared to table grapes. The wineries bought the produce at an average rate of Rs 50 per kg. The wine grape cultivation in Maharashtra is around 6,000 acres, including 3,000 acres in Nashik," Shivaji Aher, Former president of the All India Wine Producers' Association.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/