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Minister Davitashvili embraces successful conduct of vintage in Georgia amidst the global pandemic
“Each and every industrial region of the country has celebrated conduct of vintage; whether in Kakheti, or at those locations with a colder climate – Racha and Lechkhumi. All these three regions have embraced processing of an unprecedentedly highest quantity of grapes – 280, 000 tones; this figure does not entail Kartli or Imereti, where grape-bearing is more of an amateur activity.
Frankly speaking, our farmers have earned an unprecedented amount of 310 million GEL from realizing grapes, produced by them, respectively. Nevertheless, we shall reiterate how unusual this year has been, packed with obstacles for Georgia and for any other country with viticulture.
Throughout an incumbent year, 175, 000 tons of Rkatsiteli has been processed, recognized as the key industrial type. Apart from harvesting 80, 000 tons of Saperavi and 5, 000 tons of Kakhuri Mtsvane, Kisi has exceeded 3, 000 tones, which has become a popular industrial type for Kakheti. Racha is famous for its local “Khvanchkara” and 2020 harvest has embraced processing of 2, 400 tons of Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli, which will be utilized for production of “Khvanchkara”.
Personally, it was of utmost importance for me not to leave the population at despair. We have reiterated that the State did exhaust all the efforts it could have undertaken for safeguarding the harvest, which has supported 25, 000 vineyard farmers to realize their vintage. Despite of the respective field being rapidly growing at a positive trend – obstacle of 2020 has equipped the state with a role of social responsibility. The key to successful vintage has been curved into making extraordinary decisions through stimulating demand at private sector and providing private wine companies with preferential financial resources; these decisions have resulted into enabling private sector to purchase 180, 000 tons of grapes from the local dwellers. Nevertheless, private sector could not have exhausted all the requirements, thus, the State took the lead. The State support does not only entail financial resources, numerous efforts have been ensured for an organized safeguarding of harvest. During the peak, 17, 000 tons of grapes had been processed, which has demonstrated an unprecedented event. Queues are usual at that time, as they have been previously and will be in the future. The most important factor is having acceptance and processing resource present in the country, which has increased since 2020 apart from availability of rotational means. During the pandemic, we have fostered stimulation efforts, which empowered private companies to procure essential means aiming and enhancing scale, space and industrial gear.
Frankly speaking, against all odds, Georgian vintage has successfully commenced. Georgia is one of the few countries, which successfully overcame obstacles of wine-making field for the year of 2020” – Minister Davitashvili stated.