Demand to curb import of Chinese raisins

30-Dec-2025 12:05 PM

Nashik: The heavy import of Chinese raisins into the domestic market has significantly increased the concerns of grape and raisin producers in Maharashtra, and they are strongly demanding that the government curb these imports.

It is understood that a large quantity of Chinese raisins is being imported directly and indirectly, which has significantly increased their supply and availability in the domestic market, leading to a decline in prices. Complaints are being made that the price of raisins has fallen by about 40 rupees per kilogram in the last 8-10 days.

According to the Maharashtra Grape Growers Association, the new raisin season in China started in November.

From there, the raisins are first exported to Dubai and then brought to India via Afghanistan. Some Indian traders import them as Afghan raisins and then sell them in the domestic market. This is creating an imbalance in the market.

In Sangli, a major grape and raisin producing center in Maharashtra, producers are calling the timing of these Chinese raisin imports particularly dangerous.

Producers say that a huge stock of approximately 20,000 tons of raisins from the last season is still in cold storage.

Due to the possibility of lower production this year, producers were hoping to earn good income from this leftover stock, but this hope is fading due to the massive imports at cheap prices. Approximately 5 tons of Chinese raisins arrived in the Sangli market last week.