Pune, March 5 -- The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has dealt a severe blow to grape exports to Gulf nations, plunging growers and traders in Maharashtra's Sangli district into a deep financial crisis.
The escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel have disrupted key maritime and air trade routes across the Gulf region, forcing export operations to a near standstill. With uncertainty looming over shipping schedules and insurance costs soaring, transactions worth crores of rupees have been left in limbo.
Every year, thousands of tonnes of grapes from Sangli are exported to Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This season, however, nearly 350 containers of grapes are lying unsold in cold ...