Indian grape exports to the European Union (EU) this year fell by 50 per cent, compared to the previous, with growers choosing to sell on the domestic market after difficulties accessing markets in Europe last season.

The Maharashtra state agricultural department has released figures for the region’s grape export season ending 30 April. Last year the state, which produces 95 of the country’s grape exports, sent 3,718 containers of grapes to EU countries, while this season it sent just 1,814 containers, reported the Times of India

“In 2009-10 the country exported 47,106 tonnes of grapes to European Union countries and almost the same quantity to Gulf nations. Compared to these figures, this year the country exported only 22,367 tonnes of grapes to EU countries,” reported department of agriculture director of processing and planning Pandurang Watharkar.

Last year growers and exporters suffered financial losses after EU countries rejected fruit showing traces of Chlormequat Chloride Compoment (CCC) - a growth hormone authorised for use only in Australia and India.

There was debate last season as to what the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) for this chemical should be for grapes imported into EU countries. As it was not covered by the union’s tolerance levels a default MRL was applied of 0.05ppm. However, the European Food Safety Authority stated CCC levels below 1.06ppm did not pose a health risk.

Although efforts are underway to establish a bespoke MRL for CCC, the process is expected to take at least two years.

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