Grapes are grown in India in moderate to warm regions because hot and dry climates are ideal for grape cultivation. Indian grapes come in varied characteristics, including coloured, white, seeded, unseeded, large and small berries.
More than 20 varieties are under cultivation in India, but only a dozen are commercially grown. They can be grouped under the following 4 categories, based on colour and seeds: coloured-seeded, coloured seedless, white-seeded, and white seedless.
The major grape-producing states in India include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Maharashtra, particularly the Nashik district, stands out as the leading grape-producing region, contributing significantly to the overall production in the country.
Maharashtra ranks first in terms of production accounting for more than 70% of total production and the highest productivity in the country during 2021-22. Karnataka is the second largest producer of grapes with a share of 25% in 2021-22.
The area under grapes in India is 79.6 thousand hectares with an annual production of 1878.3 thousand metric tonnes. Most of the area of grape cultivation is in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Punjab occupies an area of 777 hectares with an annual production of 22088 metric tonnes.
India is also a major exporter of fresh grapes to the world. The country has exported 267,950.39 metric tonnes of grapes to the world, worth Rs. 2,543.42 crores/ 313.70 USD Million during the year 2022-23. Major export destinations include the Netherlands, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Russia.
Maharashtra : Maharashtra comes number one in grape production in India, with Nashik being the grape bowl of India. The region's favourable climate and soil conditions make it ideal for growing grapes.
Nashik, often termed the "Wine Capital of India," is a frontrunner in grape cultivation. The region's moderate climate, fertile soil, and availability of water from the Godavari River provide an ideal environment for grape farming in India. Both table grapes and wine grapes flourish in Nashik, contributing significantly to India's grape output.
Karnataka : The Bijapur, Bagalkot, and Gulbarga districts in Karnataka contribute significantly to the state's grape production. The climate in these regions is perfect for the cultivation of both table and wine grapes.
Tamil Nadu : The districts of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu are known for their grape cultivation. The state has seen a steady increase in grape production in recent years.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana : These states are emerging as important grape-producing regions, with the Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh and the Nalgonda district in Telangana playing key roles.
The grape is the world's primary fruit crop. It is designed to prepare wines and raisins for use as table fresh fruit. Grapes have the scientific name Vitis and are members of the Vitaceae family. Grape production is believed to have begun near the Caspian Sea; Indians are familiar with grapes from Roman occasions.
Grapes are grown on around 40,000 hectares in India, primarily in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Maharashtra is the most prominent grape-growing state in India.
Grape farming is the most profitable crop in India. Grape farming is also known as Viticulture. Grapes are typically produced in India from October to January. Spring is the grape season because it is favourable for grape cultivation in India.
Grapes are occasionally planted in June and July when the rainstorms are late. Monsoon planting is avoided primarily to prevent diseases in grapes.
Trenches were dug in the N-S direction for planting. The width of the tranches could range from 60 to 75 cm. The ditches were then filled with FYM, natural fertilizers, natural mixes, neem cakes, and other organic materials.
Plant separation is maintained by taking into account the type of soil, variety, and preparation plan. The spacing between two columns might be 2 to 3 m, while the distance between plants inside a line will be half that, allowing for 2000 to 5000 plants per hectare.
Thompson Seedless : Thompson Seedless is one of the most popular table grape varieties in India. These grapes are known for their sweet and seedless berries. It is widely grown in Nashik and other grape-producing regions.
Anab-e-Shahi : This variety, characterized by large, black, and oval-shaped berries, is cultivated in various states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
Bangalore Blue : These are mainly grown in Karnataka. Bangalore Blue grapes are known for their distinct taste and are often used for making raisins.
There are variety of grape grown under the different soil and climatic conditions across the dry, hot and tropical regions in India. Thomson Seedless and its mutants, Bangalore Blue and Anab-e-Shahi are the major grown types of grapes in India, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are the top grapes producing states of India.
1. Thompson Seedless : Sultana variety of seedless grape are called Thompson Seedless in US, The pale green, oval shape grapes are very popular in India and its raisins are eaten as a snack food in India. Thompson Seedless is the major and most grown variety of grapes in Northern India along with Pandhari Sahebi, Beauty Seedless and Black Hamburg.
2. Bangalore Blue, Karnataka : Bangalore Blue variety of grapes is the most popular varieties of grapes from Karnataka along with Thomson seedless and Anab-E-Shahi Dilkush. The blue grapes are used for making jams and jellies, granted the Geographical indication status.
3. Anab-e-Shahi, Andhra Pradesh : Anab-e-Shahi grape variety is late maturing fruit that grown in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Haryana. This is a unique variety of grapes and a delicious variety that adaptable to different climate conditions.
4. Dilkhush : Dilkhush is clone of Anab-e-Shahi, cultivated in different region of India along with Pandari Sahebi, Kali Sahebi, and Cheema Sahebi. Anab-e-Shahi and its clone are harvested during March-April from the hot tropical region.
5. Sharad Seedless : Sharad Seedless grapes is a mutant of Kishmish Chorni or black seedless grapes, grown in the region of Northern India and a Commercial varieties of Grapes with good demand in international markets.
6. Perlette : Perlette grapes are large in size and mostly used as table fruit, wine, raisins and shade. They are are very much similar to Thompson Seedless in appearance and good for seedless grape vine, grown in North India.
7. Bhokri : Bhokri variety of grapes are seeded and harvest during the period of November-December and June-July. The productivity of grapes is consumed as table grapes in India, Other well known varieties of grapes grown in India are Gulabi, Perlette, Shared Seedless, Dilkhush and Sonaka & Manik Chaman.
8. Gulabi : Gulabi or Muscat Hamburg grapes harvest season is from the month of January-March and June-December. Theni and Dindigul are two most popular grape growing regions of Tamil Nadu, Known for the famous Muscat Hamburg grapes.
9. Tas-A-Ganesh : Tas-A-Ganesh variety is part of the Thompson Seedless, grown in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Cheema Sahebi, Sonaka and Manik Chaman are the popular variety of grapes grown in Maharashtra and few are the clone of Thompson Seedless.
10. Flame Seedless : Flame Seedless grapes has a good demand in the international markets along with several varieties that grown in India such as Thompson Seedless, Shared Seedless and are produced and exported from India.
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