The paper has studied value chain of grapes in the Nasik district of Maharashtra by selecting 50 grape growers from 17 villages and collecting data from different stakeholders, viz. input suppliers, farmers, traders, logistics intermediaries, processors, retailers, financial institutions and facilitators/government agencies. The study has found that the varieties predominant in table grapes were Thompson seedless (47%) and Sharad sedless (18%) and in wine grapes were Shiraz (30%) and SBL (23%). The study has found that of the total production, 61.7 per cent was sold for domestic market, 35.8 per cent was exported and 2.5 per cent was used for raisin making. In the integrated value chain of grapes, the average net return earned was highest from export (‘ 73), followed by grapes sold during lean season (‘ 60), winery (‘ 26), raisin industry (‘ 20) and domestic market (‘ 11). The study has identified the problems being faced by the farmers, particularly in the export of grapes.
Value chain, grapes, table grapes, wine grapes, raisin industry, grape export, Maharashtra
