India’s grape exports got off to an early start this year, thanks to the absence of unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms, and have already more than doubled from a year ago. Exporters anticipate record shipments this year, although there are concerns of margins taking a hit if there is a glut in Europe, especially after March. Indian grape exporters dispatched 306 containers as of February 1, compared with 119 containers a year earlier, according to the government’s Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. A container carries 13 tonnes. “We may export even up to 5,000 containers of grapes to Europe this year,” said a high-level official from the country’s largest corporate grape exporter. Growers, too, are happy. “We may see record exports this year,” said Jagannath Khapre, president of the Indian Grape Exporters’ Association. However, a bumper production of grapes is also a cause of concern for exporters. Unrestricted exports, especially after March when the harvest is at its peak in India, may bring prices down and reduce profit margins. The availability of Chilean grapes, which are
late this year, might clash with India’s shipments in March/April, adding to pressure on prices.

(Source: The Economic Times, Mumbai, 03 February 2016)