European buyers appear to have rekindled their interest in Indian grapes, with The Times of India reporting a brisk and early start for shipments from the major growing region of Maharashtra.
Statistics from the Grapenet service, reported by the Times, show that 609 tonnes of Maharashtra’s grapes have been exported to Europe over the month of January, a near ten-fold increase on the volumes shipped by the same stage of 2012 (63.60 tonnes). Usually exports do not kick off in earnest until the first week of February.
Over half of the volumes shipped so far are bound for the UK (340 tonnes), while 214 tonnes are being shipped to Sweden, 42.60 tonnes to the Netherlands and 12 tonnes to Finland.
European buyers' confidence in Indian grapes was dented in 2010 following the Chlormequat Chloride Component residue issue, which cause widespread turmoil in the industry.
However, a blemish-free residue record over the last two years has made Indian grapes an attractive proposition for buyers again, particularly given the steady decline in Chilean grape exports to Europe over the past five years, as the South American country pursues growth opportunities in Asia.
The need to fill Europe’s March to May grape window has not meant a compromise in quality control, with European buyers requesting Indian fruit to be tested for 175 different residues and hormones this year.
Some industry sources have attributed the brisk start for exports to Indian growers pruning their vines early this season.
With water shortages looming due to lack of monsoon rains, pruning began in November, which helped advance the period of maturing the fruit.
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