India's table grape export industry is expecting to gain significantly this year in part due to bad-growing conditions in Chile, according to local media Financialexpress.com. 

All Indian Grape Exporters Association president Jagannath Khapre believes the sector will surpass the previous export record of 192,000 metric tons (MT) thanks to good weather.

The publication said the Chilean industry was not so fortunate, reporting the South American country was expected to suffer a year-on-year production decline of 15-20% due to climatic conditions related to El Niño.

“Grape exports from Chile to the European Union are likely to be impacted this season because of the bad weather in that country. And if India plays its cards right, it could benefit and improve grape exports this year,” Khapre was quoted as saying.

Indian grape exports to Europe are expected to rise 5-7% year-on-year from last season's 84,000MT.

The European Union (EU) recently agreed to extend the reside level limits of plant growth regulator chlormequat chloride by two years, in a blow to Indian exporters. The EU had proposed reducing the tolerance level from 0.05 ppm to 0.01 ppm.

Canada has also recently granted market access to the Indian grape industry, although exporters will reportedly not be able to ship fruit there until next season, and all vineyards and packhouses must be registered.

Indian grapes are reportedly shipped to around 94 countries.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com