NASHIK : The auctions of grapes have begun from Wednesday at Sharadchandra Pawar Market Yard of Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), Nashik. The Committee sources have informed that the auctions of grape stocks will be held openly at the agencies here.

The grape season has begun now and the production is also abundant this year due to the favourable climate for the crop. Therefore, a number of grape stocks from across the district have been arrived at the market yard for the sale. The auctions in this regard were started at 3 pm on Wednesday.

On the very first day, agencies like Jai Maa Sherawali, Jai Mata Di Fruit Company and Trimbakeshwar Company received 2,000 nets of grapes. Varieties of grapes like Black Flame, Purple Sonaka and Thompson Black Jumbo were included in these stocks. These varieties got the average market rates as Rs 28 to 35 per Kg.

Grape manufacturer farmers and traders had earlier demanded to allow the auctions of loose grapes through agencies. Accordingly, the officials of the Market Committee have decided to conduct the auctions of loose grapes.

Chairman Devidas Pingale, Vice-Chairman Bhausaheb Khandbahale and Secretary Suresh Pingale have appealed to the grape manufacturers from across the district to bring their production for the auctions being held at the Market Yard.