Grape exports to Europe fall by 6%

India's grape exports to Europe, the major destination for the fruit, declined by 6 per cent to 38,688 tonnes in 2009 season due to lower demand in the region.      

India had shipped 41,139 tonnes of grapes in 2008 season.      

"The global slowdown has affected grapes export to Europe, which fell to 38,688 tonnes in the current season," Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) Director S Dave said.      

Europe accounts for 70 per cent of grapes export from India. Other nations which import Indian grapes include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Gulf countries.      

Grapes in India are harvested during February-April, which is also the main period for export.      

Apeda has developed a software to minimise rejection of consignments to the European Union, which stress on strict quality norms.      

Apeda officials highlighted that there is zero rejection of grapes from Europe after launch of the software in 2008 season. The software allows grape sourcing countries to know every details of the fruit, right from the growing stage.      

The importer can know where the grapes are grown, who is the farmer, what fertilisers and pesticides are used in the fruit cultivation and many other aspects, Dave said.