Indian grapes

A cold snap in the Indian table grape-producing region around Nashik has affected over 12,000ha of vineyards

According to a report by the Times of India, the city recorded a low last Thursday of 2.7oC, while in Niphad the mercury fell to just 0.2oC.

The cold snap could lower the yield at harvest time and reduce the sugar content of the fruit, the newspaper reported.

'The areas which had been hit badly include Nashik, Niphad and Dindori,” Maharashtra State Grape Growers' Association president Vijay Gadakh told the publication.“Vineyards, where pruning was conducted after 25 October, have been affected badly,' he added.

'In Niphad, the drop in temperature froze the berries. This will affect the sugar formation in the berry. Leaves of plants make sugar and pass it on to berries. But due to sudden drop in the temperature, sugar formation will be delayed by a fortnight,' he said.

Around 61,000ha of land in the region is given over to table grape production.