Grapes

Grape is one of the important fruit crop grown in India. Grapes (Vitis vinifera) belong to the Vitaceae family. Grape is the third most widely cultivated fruit after citrus and banana. Globally grapes production was 67909.28 thousand tonnes during 2008 as per FAO data and grapes production contributes to about 16% of the total fruit production. European Union takes the lead position in grapes production with Italy occupying the top position with 11.48% followed by China with 10.73% and USA with 9.93%. India produced about 2.77 per cent (1878.00 thousand tonnes) of the total world production during 2008. Maharashtra (75.33 percent) is largest producer of grapes in the country. Maharashtra and Karnataka together contributes about 89.65 percent of India’s grapes production. Grapes are widely consumed as fresh fruit in India. It is also used for producing raisins, wine, juice, juice concentrate, squash, beverages, jams and marmalades. Grapes are highly digestible and have a number of therapeutic properties. Grapes are non- climacteric fruit that grow on the perennial and deciduous woody vines. Cultivation of grapes is known as viticulture.

Major Grape producing countries in the world

Grapes are cultivated in many countries of the world. During 2008, grape was grown in an area of 7423.72 thousand hectares with the production of 67909.28 thousand tonnes in the world. Italy (11.48 per cent), China (10.73 per cent), USA (9.93per cent), Spain (8.91 per cent) and France (8.34 per cent) together accounted for about 49.39 per cent of total world production. India produces only about 2.77 per cent of the total world production. In case of area, Spain ranked first with 16.16 per cent of the world acreage during 2008 followed by France (10.96 per cent) and Italy (10.37 per cent) whereas India’s contribution to the world’s acreage is only 1.08 per cent. However, in productivity India stood first with 23.50 tonnes /Ha followed by USA (17.80 tonnes/Ha), China (16.60 tonnes/Ha), South Africa (13.80 tonnes/Ha), Argentina (13.20 tonnes/Ha), Chile (12.90 tonnes/Ha) and Italy (10.10 tonnes/Ha). Area, Production and Yield of major grapes producing countries during 2006 to 2008 were as under:

Major Grape producing states in India

Grape is an important fruit crop of India. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab are the major grapes growing states. Maharashtra was the largest grapes producing state accounting for 75.33 per cent of total country’s production followed by Karnataka (14.32 per cent), Tamil Nadu (4.84 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (3.31 per cent) and Punjab (1.18 per cent) of total production during 2008-2009. Maharashtra and Karnataka together contributes about 89.65 per cent of total national grapes production. Maharashtra ranked first with 69.97 per cent of total area during 2008-2009 followed by Karnataka (18.71 per cent), Tamil Nadu (3.89 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (3.76 per cent) and Punjab (1.00 per cent) respectively during the year 2008-09 in the country. However in productivity Tamil Nadu stood first with 29.8 tonnes/hectare during 2008- 2009, followed by Punjab (28.4 tonnes/hectare), Maharashtra (25.4 tonnes/hectare) and Andhra Pradesh (21.0 tonnes/hectare).

Important Grape varieties grown in India

Andhra Pradesh

Thomson seedless, Sharad seedless, Crimson seedless, Anab-e-shahi

Haryana

Anab-e-shahi, Perlette

Karnataka

Bangalore Blue, Anab-e-shahi, Thomson seedless, Sharad seedless, Dilkhush, Flame seedless

Madhya Pradesh

Ganesh, Thomson seedless, Sharad seedless, Sonaka, Chirah

Maharashtra

Thomson seedless, Kali Sahebi, Sonaka, Sharad seedless, Flame seedless, H-5, Ganesh

Punjab

Anab-e-shahi, Perlette

Rajasthan

Sharad seedless, Anab-e-shahi, Perlette

Tamil Nadu

Thomson seedless, Panneer(Muscat), Sonaka, Bhokri, Gulabi

Hybrid Grapes varieties:

Arkavati, Arka Hans, Arka Kanchan, Arka Shyam, Arka Neel Mani, Arka Shweta, Arka Majestic, Arka Chitra, Arka Krishna, Arka Soma, Arka Trishna.

Exotic Grapes varities:

Italica Victoria, Assario, Almeria