Grape exports from Maharashtra to the European Union are expected to reduce this season to 34,000 tonne from a record 65,000 tonne last year, thanks to the weather playing havoc with the hopes of farmers in the state.
The fall of rouble has also played a major role in reducing the volume of exports to Russia, top officials of All India Grape Exporters Association said.
In 2014 season, a record 1.92 lakh tonne of grapes had been exported by Indian traders to around 94 countries of which Europe and the UK together accounted for the largest share of 65,000 tonne. This year, the picture is very different.
The value of the Russian currency has now fallen to 70 roubles per dollar.
As a result instead of expected 60,000 tonne, the grape export is likely to reduce to just 26,000 tonne, Jagannath Khapre, president, India Grape Exporters Association, said. “We are not even considering other emerging markets since there are not enough grapes available for export and the quality of grape has taken a hit,” he said.