Record raisin production in Maharashtra

The huge output of raisin in Maharashtra has put grape farmers in a limited location. A lot of farmers, unable to get their grapes to the market due to lockdown, took to raisin producing.

As a consequence, the estimated raisin output in the State has long gone up to about 3 lakh tonne (lt) from an normal annual output of 1.80 lt. Now, the greater part of farmers have put their generate in cold storage due to absence of need and plummeting price.

Maharashtra ranks very first in India in phrases of output of grapes, accounting for additional than 81 for every cent of complete output. In 2018-19, Maharashtra exported 1,21,469 tonnes of grapes in eight,982 containers. Having said that, this season, it exported 92,342 tonnes in six,842 containers — a drop of about 29,000 tonnes, or 24 for every cent.

As export took a hit due to Covid-19 and need for grapes in domestic market declined, a lot of grape growers in Nashik, Sangli and Solapur belt took their generate to raisin producing.

“This incurred more price. About four kg grapes are needed to make 1 kg raisin. A farmer has to spend ₹30,000 to generate 1 tonne of raisin. A lot of have to put the raisin in cold storages due to absence of need,” mentioned farmer Salim Mujawar. Farmers spend ₹650 as well as GST for every month to maintain the dry fruit in the cold storage.

The fee of a black raisin in the market is involving ₹30 and ₹70 for every kg, whilst the yellow raisin fetches ₹80-130. The green raisin fee is involving Rs 70-170 for every kg.