Area Under Grape Cultivation Increases
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he area under the cultivation of table grapes (intended for consumption while they are fresh) for export has increased by 5.92% to 13,900 hectares for the grape export season, January-April, 2014, from last year. The agriculture department is eyeing
Agri Business News exports of 50,000 metric tonnes of grapes during the upcoming grape season. Last season, 48,465 metric tonnes of grapes were exported from Nashik district. “Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has made the registration of vineyards compulsory from 2004 for grape-growers, wanting to export their grapes to promote export quality production. Accordingly, the superintending agriculture officer has finished registration of vineyards for last season. By December 15, (the last date for registration of vineyards with late fees), 19,793 vineyards (total 13,900 hectares), each admeasuring 0.40 to 1.20 hectares, have been registered. Last year, 15,679 vineyards (13,123 hectares) had been registered,” an official from the agricultural department told. For the upcoming grape season, the total area under cultivation is around 1.25 lakh acres. Around 10 lakh metric tonnes of grapes are expected to be produced in the district as the productivity is 20 metric tonnes per hectare. Maharashtra contributes 90% of the country’s total grape export. Around 70% of the state’s grape export comes from
Twofold rise in Processed Food, Basmati Rice exports to Iran
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ndia’s agriculture and processed food exports to Iran have more than doubled in quantum and value terms in the last one year, mainly on account of an exceptional surge in Basmati rice exports. If the trend continues, this year’s export of Basmati to Iran could be the highest. In value terms, Basmati rice exports to Iran increased by 137 per cent (nearly threefold rise), while in terms of quantity it increased by 77 per cent, between April and September 2013 and 2014, data from Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) show. Between April and September 2013, total food exports to Iran was valued at Rs 7,104 crore, against Rs 3,043 crore in the same period last year, a rise of nearly 133 per cent, according to Apeda. In terms of quantity, the amount of exports
Vol. 09, Issue 03, January, 2014
increased by almost 104 per cent between April and September this year over the corresponding period last year. “This year there has been a great surge in Basmati exports to Iran. While the quality of rice exported from India has improved, 41
Nashik. The district is registering growth in export of grapes every year. The exports from Nashik have increased 10-fold from 4,532 metric tonnes in 2003 to 48,465 metric tonnes in 2013. In 2011, however, grape exports had declined by 58% to 15,000 metric tonnes due to unseasonal rains. But, Nashik experienced good grape seasons in 2012 and 2013 with exports of 28,000 and 48,465 metric tonnes of grapes, respectively. Nashik grape exports Year Exports (in metric tonnes) 1999 2,596 2000 4,051 2001 2,376 2002 3,775.37 2003 4,532 2004 8,631.63 2005 13,359 2006 16,700 2007 19,000 2008 27,650 2009 27,533 2010 35,671 2011 15,000 2012 28,000 2013 48,465 there could be other reasons for the rise in exports. It might be the reason that the Iranian government wants to stock up their inventory,” said R Sundaresan, executive director, All-India Rice Exporters Association. After US sanctions against Iran, India’ export to that country had suffered a setback. However, with Iran being a key oil supplier to India, both countries reached a new payment mechanism in 2012. Under this, 45 per cent of India’ crude payments were made in rupees through UCO Bank. The rupee resources were being used for making payments for Indian exports. Thus, with Iran unable to procure foodgrains from other countries, India’s rice export has witnessed a surge in volume. About 85 per cent of India’s agriculture and processed food exports to Iran are on account of Basmati. However, India’s exports might be affected by the recent deal of six major countries (the US, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia) with Iran to ease Iran’s nuclear plans in lieu of temporary relief over sanctions.