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"The state has created all mechanisms to have a successful grape harvest this year " declared Levan Davitashvili
The representatives of more than 60 wine companies attended the meeting at the National Wine Agency.Â
The financial and organizational issues related to the grape harvest 2020 have been brought forward by the Minister, who provided winemakers with the detailed information about the measures taken by the state in the light of the difficult period created by the new Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
"It is important for us, that, not a single grape will be left undelivered and grape growers will receive appropriate remuneration.We are making efforts to conduct a successful harvest in 2020, just like in previous years. This process requires consolidation of all stakeholders, including coordination between wine companies and government agencies. This year, we are expecting a plentiful harvest despite the natural disaster in Kakheti region. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, it is important for us, that grapes aren’t left undelivered. The state has created all mechanisms for the grape vintage to be successful this year as well" Levan Davitashvili said.
Winemakers positively assess the steps taken by the state in order to support the winery sector and are ready to deliver grapes to the company.Â
As noted by the director of Tbilvino, Zurab Margvelashvili, the measures taken by the government to support the wine sector are important to motivate the wine producers in delivering more grapes to the companies.
The harvest has been conducting successfully without subsidies during the past few years. The Coronavirus pandemic has posed new challenges to the viticulture and winemaking field and affected the wine industry.
The Government of Georgia has made a decision, according to which, the amount allocated from the budget for subsidizing the vintage will enable about twenty thousand grape growers to sell their grapes, as well as dozens of wine companies ( engaged in the grape vintage ) to purchase grapes.
According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, the wine companies will get subsidies, if they purchase and process at least 1000 tons of Rkatsiteli or Kakhetian green grapes grown in Kakheti region, during the 2020 grape harvest. In addition, the state will pay not less than 0.80 GEL to a grape grower per kilogram of grapes.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture made a decision to create an additional incentive for wine producers to enable them to have an access to different types of credit resources. The grape processing enterprises will get a co-financing at a rate of 8% per annum, under the Preferential Agro-credit project.