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Chinese raisin imports trigger price crash, growers urge urgent intervention
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Wednesday, 31 December, 2025, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Raisin growers across key producing regions are facing severe price pressure following a surge in low-priced imports from China, prompting farmers and trade bodies to seek immediate policy intervention. Market sources said domestic raisin prices have dropped sharply over the past few weeks, making it difficult for local growers to recover production and processing costs.
Traders pointed out that Chinese raisins are entering the Indian market at significantly lower prices, intensifying competition at a time when domestic arrivals are already healthy. The imported product, often sold in bulk to wholesalers and processors, has disrupted price discovery in mandis, forcing Indian growers to accept steep discounts.
Growers from Maharashtra’s grape-growing belts, which account for a major share of raisin production, said the price crash comes after a challenging season marked by high input costs. Expenses related to labour, sulphur treatment, drying infrastructure and energy have risen, while selling prices have moved in the opposite direction. “The market is flooded with cheaper imports, and buyers are using that to negotiate aggressively,” said a raisin processor from Sangli.
Industry associations have urged the government to closely examine import volumes, pricing practices and quality standards. They have called for stricter enforcement of phytosanitary norms and a review of tariff structures to prevent unfair competition. Grower groups are also seeking minimum import price mechanisms or safeguard duties to protect domestic producers.
Importers, however, argue that overseas raisins help bridge supply gaps and keep prices affordable for consumers and food manufacturers. They say demand from the bakery, confectionery and packaged food sectors has been rising, and competitive sourcing is essential for cost control.
Analysts note that while imports can stabilise consumer prices, unchecked inflows during peak domestic marketing periods can destabilise farm incomes. They stress the need for a balanced approach that supports growers while ensuring adequate supply for downstream industries.
In the short term, raisin prices are expected to remain under pressure unless imports moderate or demand picks up. For growers, the current situation underscores the vulnerability of value-added horticultural crops to global price movements and the urgent need for policy support, market diversification and stronger export promotion to safeguard livelihoods.
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