Arrival of new raisins begins

05-Feb-2025 07:03 PM

The production of raisins in India, particularly in Maharashtra, is experiencing a decline for the second consecutive year.

This drop in production is attributed to the high prices of grapes, which are likely to result in fewer raisins being produced.

Currently, new raisins are beginning to arrive in the main market in Sangli, with the price being quoted at Rs 210-230 per kg. In contrast, old raisins are priced at Rs 200-220 per kg, with a relatively low stock of 35-40 sacks.

For the 2025 season, it is anticipated that raisin prices might fall slightly by Rs 15-20 per kg towards the end of February or in March, but not more than that due to the decreased production and low stock levels.

The production estimate for Maharashtra this year is around 16,000-18,000 carts (each cart equals 10 tonnes), down from last year's 18,000-20,000 carts and the 23,000-24,000 carts in 2023. In comparison, the 2022 production was closer to this year's estimate.

Despite the declining production in India, the overall price increase is not expected to be substantial, as the supply of new raisins will likely increase.

The stock in Maharashtra markets is currently around 600-700 carts, much lower than the 3,000-3,500 carts at the same time last year.

Additionally, reports indicate that Turkey, another major producer of raisins, also saw a production decrease this year, down to about 2 lakh tonnes from the usual 2.5-3 lakh tonnes.

Raisins from India are exported to several countries, including Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, with the total raisin export for 2023-24 reaching around 37,000 tonnes.

Given these factors—decreased production, limited stock, and moderate price adjustments—it is expected that raisin prices will remain relatively stable but will likely not see a drastic drop in 2025.