Indian viticulture scenario

Grape cultivation in India has been commercially taken up under a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. While there are three distinct regions, e.g., temperate (J.K. and H.P.), sub-tropical (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Western U.P.) and tropical (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh), nearly 94% of the area falls in the tropical region. The current area and production under grape is estimated at 60,200 ha with an annual production of 1,546,300 tonnes. Maharashtra accounts for more than 80% of the total production. Despite doubts of success of viticulture in tropical regions, this region has resulted in world's highest productivity in spite of numerous adversities for the normal growth and productivity of vines. There has been a continuous shift in grape varieties commercially grown in different regions. While in the sub-tropics, early ripening variety Perlette is grown, Thompson Seedless, Sharad Seedless among seedless and Anab-e-Shahi, Gulabi and Bangalore Blue among seeded varieties are cultivated in Maharashtra and southern States. A number of clones of Thompson Seedless namely Tas-A-Ganesh, Sonaka and Manik Chaman are also being grown commercially primarily in Maharashtra. While a single crop of grape can be taken in sub-tropics, it is possible to take more than I crop under tropical conditions. The constraints in grape production also vary from region to region. In India, while 78 percent of grape produce is used for table purposes, nearly 17-20 percent is dried for raisin production, while the remaining 2 percent is used for manufacturing of juice and wine. Fresh grape exports from India are estimated at 35,936 tonnes valued at 1106.7 million rupees to markets in 23 countries during 2004-05. In the same year, India imported 1111.27 tonnes of fresh grapes valued at Rs 519.86 lakh. With high quality grapes meeting international quality standards being produced, India has a good future to expand its fresh grape, raisin and wine industry to meet both the ever increasing domestic demand and expanding export market particularly in the European Union and South Asian countries.