Maharashtra Grape Export Sector Faces Major Setback with 28% Registration Decline
The grape export industry in Maharashtra is confronting a significant challenge during the ongoing 2025–26 grape season (November-April), with vineyard registrations for export witnessing a sharp 28% decline. This substantial drop is primarily attributed to prolonged unseasonal rainfall that has severely affected grape cultivation across the state's key grape-producing districts.
Registration Data Reveals Alarming Trends
According to the latest data released by the state agriculture department, only 30,747 grape farmers have registered 19,400 hectares of vineyards for export eligibility so far this season. This marks a dramatic decrease compared to the previous year when 42,000 farmers registered 26,879 hectares of vineyards. The registration process, which is mandatory under the guidelines of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), is handled annually by district agriculture offices to determine export eligibility.
Nashik District Bears the Brunt of the Decline
Nashik, which serves as Maharashtra's largest grape-growing region and a crucial export hub, has experienced the most severe impact. Vineyard registrations in Nashik have plummeted from 18,496 hectares last year to just 12,790 hectares this season. The number of registered farmers in the district has also decreased substantially, falling from 28,101 to 19,983. This decline is particularly concerning given that Nashik contributes approximately 75% of Maharashtra's total grape exports.
Other districts contributing to the remaining vineyard registrations this year include:
- Ahilyanagar
- Pune
- Sangli
- Dharashiv
- Solapur
- Satara
Weather Conditions Disrupt Critical Growth Stages
Officials from the state agriculture department have identified relentless unseasonal rainfall since May of last year as the primary factor behind this agricultural crisis. The persistent rainfall has affected vineyards during critical growth stages, with many vineyards failing to produce fruit entirely and others reporting drastic reductions in yield. These adverse conditions have directly contributed to the lower registrations for export observed this year.
Projected Export and Production Declines
The agriculture department anticipates substantial reductions in both export volumes and overall production. "We are expecting approximately a 40% drop in grape exports this year, while production may fall by nearly 50%. The exact figures will become clearer by late March or early April," revealed an official from the department. These projections highlight the severity of the situation facing Maharashtra's grape industry.
Historical Context and Economic Impact
During the previous grape season, Maharashtra exported an impressive 2.2 lakh tonnes of grapes valued at Rs 2,676 crore. Nashik district alone accounted for 1.6 lakh tonnes of these exports, with a value of Rs 1,888 crore. The current decline threatens to significantly impact these economic contributions and disrupt the state's position in the global grape market.
Domestic Market Prices Surge Amid Reduced Supply
Despite the drop in production and export registrations, there is a silver lining for farmers in the domestic market. Due to the reduced supply of grapes, farmers are receiving substantially higher prices for their produce. Currently, grapes of various varieties are selling between Rs 180 and Rs 220 per kilogram in Nashik district. This represents a significant increase compared to the same period last year when grape prices in the domestic market ranged between Rs 70 and Rs 120 per kilogram, depending on the grape varieties.
The combination of export challenges and domestic price increases creates a complex economic landscape for Maharashtra's grape farmers as they navigate the ongoing agricultural season.
