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" Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the wine vintage will be one of the biggest challenges for wine-producing countries, compared to the previous few years’’ declared Levan Davitashvili
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili together with his counterpart Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies of the Republic of Italy , Teresa Bellanova discussed current situation in the wine industry in European countries, amid the growing concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vice President of the European Commission for Agricultural Development, Paolo de Castro, Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Workshop and Agricultural Chambers and President of the Caserta Chamber of Commerce, Tommaso De Simone, Vice President of the International Organization of Vine and Wine, Luigi Moio, President of Italy’s Wine Producers Association, Ernesto Abbona and Executive Director of Georgian Wine Association, Tina Kezeli participated in the online meeting.
The spread of novel coronavirus has created an alarming situation worldwide, decline is observed in wine sales in all European countries. During the meeting, the EU Vice Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development reviewed the current situation in the wine sector.
The participants were focused on the upcoming wine vintage, which will be the biggest challenges for wine-producing countries, compared to the previous few years. The governments of diffeent countries are considering various action plans to save the wine industry.
Many countries will have to take radical steps forward. The Italian Minister of Agriculture has spoken openly and directly, noting, that false and unrealistic expectations shouldn’t be created.
The right focus should be set in relation to new opportunities. However , the crisis in the agri-food industry, especially in winemaking field will take years and months to recover from.
‘’We have been focused on the current problems facing the agri food sector, including winemaking field in Georgia. Especially small and medium entrepreneurs were affected due to the coronavirus pandemic, as far as, they were mostly dependent on tourists. At present, it is important to support this segment ”Levan Davitashvili said.
" The online meeting was conducted with the participation of very important guests. The issues related to the Merano Wine Festival was also discussed at the meeting, which will be held with a completely new concept by the end of the year. It should be noted, that "Merano Festival" will be hosted by Georgia in 2021. The preparation work is underway together with the Italian side’’ Tina Kezel said.
Georgia will participate in the " 29 th International Merano Wine Festival" as an honorary guest. This year's festival slogan is " Back to the Roots."