Pune: Maharashtra’s ongoing grape harvest has begun on a weak footing, with growers reporting a sharp drop in output — up to 40-45% in several key belts — due to prolonged and untimely rainfall last year that disrupted vine development during critical growth stages, farmers’ representatives said. Harvesting has started in parts of Nashik district since Jan and export consignments are moving, but the overall availability of grapes is significantly lower compared to previous seasons. Feb and March are expected to be peak harvest months, though total volumes are likely to remain well below normal, growers said. Balasaheb Gadhak, president of the Maharashtra State Grape Growers’ Association (Nashik), said the losses are now clearly visible on the ground as harvesting progresses. “The situation has become clear only now, during harvest. Production is around 40% lower compared to a normal year, and such a large loss is being seen for the first time in several years,” he said. Gadhak explained that the damage was rooted in last year’s extended monsoon, which began early and continued for nearly six months. Excess rainfall and cloud cover affected foundation pruning carried out in April, a stage crucial for internal bunch formation. “Because of prolonged rain and lack of sunlight, bunch formation itself did not happen. After Oct pruning, the bunches did not emerge at all,” he said. Gadhak said in Nashik district alone, an estimated 25-30% of grape vines have been cut as farmers look to re-plant newer, climate-resilient varieties. According to the National Research Centre for Grapes (NRCG), Pune, adverse weather conditions following foundation pruning led to poor bud fruitfulness, uneven cane maturity and reduced bunch emergence across Maharashtra’s grape belts, including Nashik, Sangli, Pune and Solapur. The institute has estimated yield losses ranging from 20% to 50% in several regions. While current market rates are firm and exports are continuing, lower volumes have affected growers’ overall returns. Dr Kaushik Banerjee, director, NRCG, told TOI: “The root cause lay in exceptionally adverse weather after foundation pruning in April 2025. Rains started early in May last year and lingered far longer than usual, with grape-growing areas seeing heavy rainfall through Aug and Sept, often with over 15 rainy days a month. Overcast skies and intermittent showers continued till late Sept and, in some places, into Oct. Excess rainfall led to waterlogging, high humidity and poor sunlight, disrupting vine physiology. Cane maturity was affected by excessive vegetative growth and nutrient loss, while reduced sunlight hampered fruit bud formation, resulting in sharply lower yields.” He added that NRCG has also partnered with the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) Pune chapter to promote awareness of the health benefits of grapes, with the aim of boosting domestic consumption. NRCG is also issuing advisories to help growers manage the impact of low yields.Dr Banerjee further said, “With the technological interventions of NRCG, growers could recover well in certain areas, as it happened in Indapur region where growers are getting retail price of around Rs 200 per kg, which is significantly higher than earlier years.”Bharat Jagannath Sonawane, director, Maharashtra State Grape Growers’ Association, said, “Rain started as early as May. After that, the vines did not get the sunlight they need. Sunlight is crucial during this stage because that is when the bud forms inside the branch. When we prepare the branch, the bud and the bunch need sufficient sunlight to develop properly. But due to continuous rain and cloud cover, that sunlight was missing.“He added, “We carry out pruning in April, and from the time the branch emerges, grape development begins internally. This development is completed by Oct, and sunlight is essential throughout this period. Last year, rain continued from May till around Nov 15-20. When we pruned in Oct, the bunches did not emerge at all.” Another grape grower from Pune said, “The harvest that has started now is mainly from early pruning where vines got some sunlight. Even then, production is down by 30-40%. This has happened after many years — normally, rain begins only after mid-June. Last year, it started far too early.”
