Grapes in Maharashtra?

Apart from countries like Italy and France, India's grapes directly compete with grapes from Chile in the EU market. To outsmart the competition, the Indian growers' federation has decided to grow the same varieties grown in Chile as well as other countries at lower cost.

Out of 64,300 hectares of area under cultivation in the country, about 42,000 hectares are in Maharashtra - in Nashik and Sangli districts. Other districts are also developing their grape farms as the domestic market is also growing. 

India's advantage is that the grapes are produced during January to April, whereas countries like US, Argentina or Italy produce grapes between September and December. 

Indian grapes taste sweeter and also turn yellow early. Compared to it, the new varieties remain greener and are not so sweet - which is appreciated by the EU customers. The new varieties have been planted on some farms in Nashik and Pune, which would start exporting by February 2013.