With Western Europe hit by pandemic, grapes farmers pin hopes on Russia

Aurangabad, Mar 31 () With the coronavirus pandemicseverely hitting wine-producing regions of Western Europe suchas France, Italy and Spain, grapes farmers in Maharashtra arelooking for new export markets including Russia.

The prices of grapes have plummeted from Rs 70 per kgtwo weeks ago to Rs 10 per kg, farmers said.

"The area under grapes cultivation in Marathwada(central Maharashtra) is limited. In Latur district, grapesare cultivated on around 100 acres in Killari area. But thisis export-quality crop," said Nagnath Kaname, a farmer andcollege teacher.

"Demand from European markets is uncertain. So farmersin Latur area are looking to export to Russia. We have enoughproduction to fill 40 containers," he told .

"The main problem is non-availability of transportfacilities and labor. Traders who bought grapes for Rs 70 perkg a fortnight ago are now not ready to pay more than Rs 10-12. The local retail market is closed. So we are looking fornew markets," said Sopan Kanchan, president, All India GrapesProducers Association.

"Grapes on 45,000 acres are lying around in the fieldsin Nashik. An acre of farm produces ten tonnes on average. Soyou can imagine the quantity," said Ashok Gaikwad, a farmerfrom Nashik, a major grapes production centre in Maharashtra. AWKRK KRK