Nashik’s expanding role in India’s grape wine export economy has delivered a notable rebound in shipments abroad, with volumes rising by nearly 80 per cent over the last four years as producers build back from pandemic-related disruptions. This surge underscores the region’s growing integration into global beverage markets, while spotlighting resilience and emerging challenges in the face of climatic pressures on viticulture.
According to government trade data, grape wine exports climbed from around 4.8 lakh litres in 2021-22 to 8.7 lakh litres in 2024-25, reversing a significant downturn experienced during the height of Covid-19. The initial slump saw exports fall to just over four lakh litres as global demand and logistics networks contracted.While the absolute export volumes remain a fraction of domestic consumption, the trajectory signals renewed international interest in Indian wines — a segment that has historically punched above its weight considering the broader context of agricultural exports and India’s evolving wine culture. Maharashtra, home to about 70 wineries, continues to dominate production, accounting for more than 90 per cent of national wine exports. Within that, Nashik district alone generates roughly three-quarters of the state’s outbound wine shipments, cementing its status as the centre of India’s viticulture and wine export ecosystem.
Industry observers point to several factors underpinning this export revival. Improved quality standards across Indian vineyards, investment in post-harvest processing infrastructure, and targeted promotional support from agricultural export bodies have helped position producers on international shelves. Strategic engagement through buyer-seller meets and participation in overseas food and beverage fairs — often facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) — has expanded exposure to markets across the Middle East, Europe and East Asia.In the 2024-25 export year, the United Arab Emirates, France and China were among the largest recipients of Indian grape wines, together accounting for a significant share of outbound volumes. Experts see this diversification as important for long-term market stability, reducing reliance on any single region.
However, the positive export trend comes amid broader concerns about the sustainability of grape cultivation itself. Recent agricultural reports indicate sharply reduced yields in key vineyard belts due to unseasonal rainfall and weather variability, a pattern mirrored in other parts of Maharashtra. While export figures have risen, industry stakeholders warn that supply instability and climate risk could constrain future growth unless adaptive farming practices and risk mitigation measures are accelerated.For Nashik and its wider hinterland, the wine sector’s export momentum represents both an economic opportunity and a planning challenge. Strengthening cold-chain logistics, enhancing irrigation resilience, and supporting skill development across vineyard communities will be critical if the region is to sustain its export expansion while fostering inclusive rural prosperity.
As Indian grape wine continues to find new consumers globally, policymakers and industry leaders face a balancing act: scaling production and exports without compromising environmental sustainability or the livelihoods that depend on this evolving agri-business ecosystem.
