Grape export from Nashik has recorded a marginal fall in FY09, due to global recession. But exports have earned Rs 175 crore in foreign currencies. Nashik, the grape capital of India, has a share of 55% of total export of grapes from the country and 75% of the total export of grapes from the state. Dhananjay Wardekar, agriculture officer, said, "Grape export from Nashik has been slightly affected due to global recession and, therefore, we could not achieve the 8.5% growth target set for 2008-09. Till this date 27,533 tonnes of grapes have been exported to 15 countries, including the UK, Holland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Russia, Belgium, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Norway, Netherlands and Taiwan. The total export of grapes amounts to Rs 175 crore.
The number of grape exporting firms this season was reduced to 116 against 131 in the previous season. Around 14,720 vineyards were registered in 2008-09 by the office of the district agriculture superintendent, for export of grapes. Around 2,152 phyto-sanitary certificates, which are compulsory for grape exporters according to the guidelines of Apeda, were given to these exporters.
In 2008-09, the total area under grape cultivation in Nashik was 40,000 hectares. More than 720,000 tonnes of grapes were produced in the district with a productivity of 20 tonnes per hectare.
Source : www.fnbnews.com