Raisin Marketing Practices in Western Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The grapes are important horticultural crop in Western Maharashtra especially in Sangli and Solapur districts. These two districts have been emerged as the well-known pocket of grape cultivation. The grape growers of this region has not only dispose of the grapes as fresh fruits to distant market of state, country and abroad , but also divert some portion of their produce for raisin making depending upon market price situation. Now a day's some grape- growers cultivated grapes for purpose of raisin making only in western Maharashtra. Seasons of grape crops are of short period i.e. February to April as well as from the year 1990 onwards grapes cultivation and production has been increasing tremendously in Sangli and Solapur districts of Maharashtra. Due to that farmers are facing problem of grapes marketing and are getting very low prices for their quality grapes. As raisins is an important product from grapes and as farmers get better price if they are making raisins. At present nearly 20 percent grapes used for raisin production in western Maharashtra. Excess production of grapes diverted towards raisin production. In view of this, this paper focus on raisin Marketing practices in western Maharashtra.