Heavy and untimely rains cause estimated losses of 30-70 per cent across key varieties in main production area of Nashik, according to agricultural consulting firm
Prolonged and unseasonal rainfall across India’s main table grape growing area of Nashik could see average crop losses of around 50 per cent this season, according to a report from Qualicrop Global Consulting, which predicts a “significant decline in export volumes”.
Qualicrop founder Anirudha Deshmukh shared the Nashik Grape Status Report after visiting farms to assess rain damage earlier this week.
While rainfall has ceased since 1 November, Nashik has experienced unusually high and persistent rains during crucial stages of crop development this season.
“Significant precipitation occurred during two critical crop phases – during bud differentiation after April pruning and during flowering after October pruning,” said Qualicrop. “Rain during these stages caused substantial and irreversible crop damage.”
Rainfall during May reached 146mm, way above the average of 14mm, while October rainfall hit 104.1mm, again far outstripping the average of 59.4mm.
In Nashik’s main production areas of Niphad and Dindori, grape varieties and soil types responded differently to the unusual weather pattern, according to the report.
Qualicrop estimated yield loss of 30-70 per cent in key varieties, with an average projected loss of around 50 per cent.
It said that while Flame Seedless, Crimson Seedless and new [licensed] varieties appear to have sustained no damage, black seedless has sustained losses of around 30-50 per cent and white seedless around 40-70 per cent.
In the early growing area of Santana, crops remain unaffected, and production is expected to be ready to harvest in the next week or two.
“Some early farms producing premium-quality white seedless grapes are quoting farmgate prices of up to Rs150 (US$1.70) per kg. However, traders are reluctant to harvest at these levels,” said the report. “Prices are expected to normalise within two weeks as more farms reach maturity.”
On a brighter note, Qualicrop said new varieties from the Bloom Fresh breeding programme had demonstrated “exceptional resilience” to the rain in Nashik.
“Initially, farmers were apprehensive about their performance but varieties such as Alison, Timco and Timson have successfully passed the ‘rain test’,” said the report. “Despite heavy rainfall during critical growth phases, these varieties show robust vine growth and strong fruit bearing in their first year.”
Qualicrop said the production losses are set to have a major impact on export programmes.
“A significant decline in export volumes is expected, particularly after 15 March,” said the report. “Early-season dispatches will also be lower, with precise estimates available by the end of November.”
