Export of Grapes: Issues and Strategies

Export of Grapes: Issues and strategies

Dr. Ajay Kumar Sharma Dr. P. G. Adsule and Dr. K. Banerjee National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune-412307

Among the fruit crops, table grapes have acquired important position in the export arena. Commercial table grape cultivation in India is restricted to tropical belt comprising Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh states. About 94 per cent grape is cultivated in this belt. Other than these states few pockets of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram are also growing grapes. The current area and production under grapes in India is estimated at 84000 ha with an annual production of 1878000 tonnes. While 74.5 per cent of grape produced is available for table purpose, nearly 22.5 per cent is dried for raisin production, 1.5 per cent for winemaking and 0.5 per cent is used for juice. The grape export from India started in 1991 with the initiation of economic liberalisation. The major importers of Indian grapes are UK, The Netherlands, Germany, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Quatar, Oman, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Singapore and Hongkong. Table 1: Country wise grape production during 2009-10 S. No. Country Production Share (%) 1 Italy 82,42,500.00 13.53 2 China 73,84,656.00 12.12 3 U S A 64,11,660.00 10.52 4 France 60,00,000.00 9.85 5 Spain 52,86,300.00 8.68 6 Turkey 42,64,720.00 7.00 7 Argentina 29,00,000.00 4.76 8 Chile 25,00,000.00 4.10 9 India 18,78,000.00 3.08 10 Australia 17,97,012.00 2.95 Source: Food & Agricultural Organisation (FAO)

Table 2: Trend of grape export from India

Year Quantity (t) Value (million `) 2007-08 96,963.57 31,78.252

1 | P a g e 2008-09 1,24,627.98 40,86.127 2009-10 1,31,153.64 54,53.386

Table 3: Major grape growing pockets in different states

Fig.1: Harvesting period of grapes in various states (NHB)

Standards: AGMARK: The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection gives this designation to agricultural and processed foods who comply the standards. AGMARK standards are available for fresh grapes also. Compliance of AGMARK standards is mandatory for export of grapes.

GRADE DESIGNATION AND QUALITY OF TABLE GRAPES 1. Table Grapes shall be fruits obtained from varieties (cultivars) of Vitis vinifera L.

2. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

2 | P a g e (i) Bunches and berries of Table grapes shall be: (a) Clean, sound, free of any visible foreign matter; (b) Free of pests, affecting the general appearance of the produce; (c) Free of damage caused by pests or diseases; (d) Free of abnormal external moisture; (e) Free of any foreign smell and/or taste; (f) Free of all visible traces of moulds; (ii) Berries shall be intact, well-formed and normally developed; (iii) Table grapes shall comply with the residue levels of heavy metals, pesticides and other food safety parameters as laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for Exports. (iv) Table grapes shall have minimum soluble solids of 16 degrees Brix. (v) Table grapes shall have minimum sugar/ acid ratio of 20:1. Foot Note: Pigmentation due to sun is not a defect. Table. 4: Criteria and description of grades According to Agmark standards grapes are classified into following classes:

Grade Grade requirements Provision Grade tolerances designation concernin g sizing Extra class Grapes must be of superior quality. The As per 5% by weight of bunches must be typical of variety in table ‘5’ bunches not satisfying shape, development and coloring and the requirements of the have no defects. Berries must be firm, grade, but meeting those firmly attached to the stalk, evenly of class I grade or spaced long the stalk and have their exceptionally coming bloom virtually intact. within the tolerances of that grade. Class I Grapes must be of good quality. The -do- 10% by weight of bunches must be typical of variety in bunches not satisfying shape, development and coloring. the requirements of the Berries must be firm, firmly attached to grade, but meeting those the stalk and, as far as possible, have of class II grade or their bloom intact. They may, however, exceptionally coming be less evenly spaced along the stalk within the tolerance of than in the extra class. Following slight that grade. defects may be there, providing these do not affect the general appearance of the produce and keeping quality of the package. - a slight defect in shape. - a slight defect in coloring Class II The bunches may show defects in -do- 10% by weight of

3 | P a g e shape, development and coloring bunches not satisfying provided these do not impair the the requirements of the essential characteristics of the variety. grade, but meeting the The berries must be sufficiently firm minimum requirements. and sufficiently attached. They may be less evenly spaced along the stalk than Class I grade. Following defects may be there, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce and keeping quality of the package. - defects in shape - defects in coloring - slight sun scorch affecting the skin only, - slight bruising, - slight skin defects

PROVISION CONCERNING SIZING Size is determined by the weight of bunches (in g). The following minimum (in g) requirements per bunch are laid down for large and small berries grapes. Table 5: Provision concerning size

Grade Large Small Berries (g) Berries (g) Extra class 200 150 Class I 150 100 Class II 100 75

Size tolerance: Extra Class, Class I, Class II: 10% by weight of bunches not satisfying the size requirements for the grade, but meeting the size requirements for the grade immediately below.

Documents required for export:  Documents related to goods: - a) Invoice b) Packing List c) Certificate of origin  Documents related to shipment: - a) Mate Receipt b) Shipping Bill c) Bill of handing d) Airway Bill  Documents related to Payment: - a) Letter of Credit (L/C) b) Bill of Exchange

4 | P a g e  Documents related to quality of goods: - a) Phytosanitary Certificate b) GLOBALGAP Certification c) Health Certificate  Organic Certification: - a) Certificate indicating material produce is based on organic farming in case of organic produce.  Documents related to Foreign Exchange Regulations: - a) GR Form: Documents required by RBI which assures to RBI that the exporter will realize b) the proceeds of goods within 180 days from the date of Shipment.  Other Document: a) Bank Realization Certification (BRC): This is the advice given by Foreign Exchange Bank after the realization of money from Importer.

Food Safety Issues: Before establishment of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the issues related with food safety were not addressed in organized manner. Now FSSAI is looking these aspects very keenly. But in European Union food laws are very strict. The MRL values of pesticides are most important factor for grape export. Being a exporting country, the compliance of food safety system in grape export chain is primary responsibility. In India, the food safety in table grapes is ensured through a unique pre-harvest residue monitoring system called Grapenet. Grapenet is the first internet based residue traceability software system established in the country, for monitoring of pesticides in fresh table grapes for export to the European Union countries. This software was developed by APEDA with inputs from all the stakeholders in grape industry. This is first of its kind initiative in India that has put in place an end-to-end system for monitoring agrochemical residues, achieve product quality standardization and facilitate tracing back from retail shelves to the farm of the Indian grower through various stages of sampling, testing, certification and packing.

National Research Centre for Grapes – Leader in agrochemical residue management in the country: Since its establishment in 1997, the National Research Centre for Grapes is actively monitoring the residue dynamics of various agrochemicals in grapes and environment to ensure their safe usage in viticulture in the country. In 2003-2004, this institute was

5 | P a g e designated by APEDA, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India as the National Referral Laboratory (NRL) for monitoring of pesticide residues in table grapes to be exported to European Union countries. Initially the mandate pertained to pesticides for the management of diseases and insect pests, which were subsequently expanded in 2010 to monitor the residues of plant growth regulators also. Apart from the recommended agrochemicals in table grape, other chemicals listed under the Central Insecticide Board, Govt. of India are also tested to check their misuse or as contaminant in this crop. Besides conducting the residue trials on new generation agro-chemicals, this Centre also surveys the table grapes from local markets, pack-houses, etc. and screens their status with regards to residue contamination. A field level representative sampling technique has also been standardized by this institute for residue monitoring which is unique in its approach. In this, it was found that 5 kg samples comprising of small bunchlets drawn randomly from all over a vineyard area of 1 ha resulted in sampling imposed variations in residue contents with relative standard deviation of \<12%, which was satisfactory considering natural variations. This could minimize lab-to-lab variation during the monitoring results for any specific farm. After the establishment of this Centre, the quality of Indian grapes has improved significantly. The extent of export as well as price realization by the growers also improved with the implementation of Grapenet traceability system. The export realization increased from US $ 78.54 (2007-08) to 115.03 (2009-2010). To minimize pesticide residues in grapes, this Centre prescribes the followings.  Use only the recommended and approved pesticides that has label claim for usage in grapes as per the registration with the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee, Union Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India  Do not spray banned as well as non-recommended chemicals  Strictly adhere to the recommended dose of application including the recommended volume of water to be sprayed on per hectare or per acre basis based on canopy of vine.  Strictly maintain recommended Pre-Harvest Interval to minimize consumer risk regarding detection of residues.  Promoting Integrated Pest Management  Sequencing the pesticides in relation to their persistence particularly in the last 2 months period before harvest.  Adoption of Bio-control measures during last 30 days before harvest

6 | P a g e  Managing the usage of pesticides and PGRs very carefully in last 60 days before harvest to ensure the MRL compliance of EU countries.

Measures for enhancing competitiveness for exporting grapes Following measures need to be adopted for enhancing competitiveness for exporting grapes. . Competition of India is with countries like Chile, South Africa and Israel, which produce quality grapes. Therefore, India must maintain superior quality free from pesticide residues etc. for keeping up momentum of exports. . There is huge demand of grapes in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia etc., India needs to exploit this opportunity, by holding fruit shows, exhibitions and buyer- seller meets frequently. . India needs to enhance its competitiveness by making grapes available during Ramzan period in Middle East countries and in Malaysia, Indonesia etc., by altering pruning time for fruiting. . India can further enhance its competitiveness by economizing on logistics by exporting from eastern port to South East Asian countries and by intensifying production in Andhra Pradesh. . Similarly, grapes can be made available during Christmas period by changing pruning time for fruiting.

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