Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

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Otar Shamugia: "The citrus storage process is running actively and smoothly. I believe our farmers will have a very successful season.

The Chairman of the Adjara Government, Mr.  Tornike Rizhvadze, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Otar Shamugia, and the Minister of Agriculture of Adjara, Mr. Zaza Shavadze visited the citrus receiving/processing enterprise "Ave Vine Georgia" LTD in Kobuleti Municipality. The enterprise actively receives citrus fruits.

Government representatives got familiar with the handling/storing of non-standard citrus fruits. The canning factory "Georgian Industrial Asset Management Group" LLC has started receiving raw materials since December 4.

"Citrus is one of the significant sources of income for farmers in the Adjara and Guria regions. The government assists them in selling their products to the greatest extent possible. As of today, Georgia exported more than 26,000 tonnes of tangerines, which is significantly more than last year's data. The export price is also higher this year. 

As mentioned, the subsidy is carried out under the decision of the government of Adjara. There is much support in the processing section as well. We can say that the process is running actively and smoothly. I think the season will be very successful for farmers", said Mr. Otar Shamugia.

According to Mr. Tornike Rizhvadze, under the decision of the local government, the subsidy for non-standard tangerines this year increased by 10 tetri compared to the previous year and was set at 25 tetri per kilogram of industrial tangerine. The amount of subsidy is added to the 5 tetri paid by the enterprise, and the farmer receives 30 tetri for the delivered non-standard tangerine.

We expect a high-income year this year. A record amount of citrus has already been exported. With joint efforts, we should be able to ensure that not a single kilogram of tangerines is left behind," said Mr. Tornike Rizhvadze. 

According to the Minister of Agriculture of Adjara, Mr. Zaza Shavadze, the Ministry of Agriculture of Adjara established a coordination center with the cooperation of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and the Government of Adjara to organize the orange harvest.

As a result of the efficient efforts of the headquarters, the process of selling tangerine is running smoothly.
The citrus harvest will reach 55 thousand tonnes this year, according to projected data. More than 20 citrus receiving-processing companies receive tangerines intended for export during the season.

As of today, 26,600 tonnes of standard tangerines have already been exported, and 4,533 tonnes of non-standard tangerines have been received and processed.