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Section 21

Nashik (Niphad, Dindori, Pimpalgaon Baswant)

Nashik, Maharashtra · Farm produce

Table grapes, raisins and wine – India's grape and wine capital

sourced figures
4
main products
5
businesses to start
5

The story

Grape farming spread in Nashik from the 1960s, helped by its mild winter, dry harvest season and canal water. Farmers' groups learned export practices and began sending grapes to Europe in the 1990s. From 2000, wineries came up around Nashik as the state supported wine-making from local grapes, and the area now has most of India's wineries. Grapes that cannot be exported or sold fresh are turned into raisins in sheds around Pimpalgaon and Niphad.

In numbers

  1. The Winery Cluster at Vinchur (Niphad) had 40 units, a total winery turnover of Rs 95 crore in 2010-11, exports of Rs 5 crore, and direct employment of 1,800 and indirect employment of 45,000.

    Brief Industrial Profile of Nashik District, MSME-DI (Ministry of MSME) · 2012

  2. The Raisin Making Cluster, Nashik had 2,180 units (42 registered, 2,138 unregistered); about 9,500–10,000 MT of yellow raisin and 2,000–2,500 MT of green raisin is produced in Nashik district.

    Brief Industrial Profile of Nashik District, MSME-DI (Ministry of MSME) · 2012

  3. Nashik Valley Wine is a registered GI (Application No. 123, Certificate No. 123 dated 04-08-2010); the applicant is the National Horticulture Board.

    GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 123, Nashik Valley Wine · 2010

  4. Nashik Grapes is a registered GI (Application No. 165, Certificate No. 140 dated 06-10-2010); the applicant is the Nasik Grape Farmers Society.

    GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 165, Nashik Grapes · 2010

GI tag

Ways in for a newcomer

  • Pack-houses, pre-cooling and cold chain for export grapes
  • Raisin processing, grading and branded packing
  • Wine tourism: tasting rooms, homestays and vineyard tours
  • Residue testing, export documentation and farm-advisory services

Problems the cluster faces

  • Unseasonal rain and hail damage the crop
  • Pesticide residue limits for export to Europe
  • High excise and state-wise liquor rules for wine sales
  • Price crashes when export markets close

Businesses to start here

Kishmish (Raisin) Making →Cold Room (2 × 10 MT) for Fruit and Vegetables →Multi-Fruit Juice and Squash Unit →Natural Fruit Vinegar →Agro-Tourism Farm →

Sources (3)
  1. Brief Industrial Profile of Nashik District, MSME-DI (Ministry of MSME)
  2. GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 123, Nashik Valley Wine
  3. GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 165, Nashik Grapes