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

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Otar Shamugia: "10-12 years ago, the income of our winegrowers in Kakheti was GEL 50 million; this year, we expect it to be at least 350 million, which is the result of our sound policy."

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, attended the opening of the coordination headquarters of Grape Harvest 2024 in Telavi.

According to the Minister, the state has prioritized the viticulture and winemaking industry over the years and has made significant investments to develop the sector.

"State support and active cooperation with the private sector, winemakers, and companies gave us the result we have today, reflecting in the growth of both production and wine export. 

If 10-12 years ago, the income of our winegrowers in Kakheti was GEL 50 million, this year, we expect it to be at least 350 million, which is the result of our sound policy. If there is no demand for wine, of course, the price of grapes will not be appropriate. Thus, from primary production to its sale, we support businesses and growers, and we support the overall agricultural industry. 

Each year, we allocate substantial funds to global marketing events. The price of grapes only rises in response to the increasing demand for wine. While the average price was around GEL 1 and 5 Tetri, the minimum price for the Rkatsiteli grape was set within 90 Tetri last year. We expect that the price will exceed the minimal amount this year as well. It is our task to ensure that the private sector buys as many grapes as possible and then sells wine," said Mr. Otar Shamugia.

It is worth mentioning that this year, the Government of Georgia is providing grape harvest subsidies to encourage the sale of grapes grown by winegrowers and support the steady growth of the winemaking industry,  enabling over 20,000 winegrowers to sell their harvest, and 500 companies involved in the harvesting process to buy and process grapes without delay.

Under the Government's decision, companies purchasing and processing at least 100 tonnes of Rkatsiteli grapes during the harvest will receive the state subsidy and pay GEL 1 to the growers per kilogram of grapes. In the Kakheti region, companies will receive a subsidy of 20 tetri per kilogram of Rkatsiteli grapes grown by local vineyards.

The grape harvest coordination headquarters and the hotline of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (1501) work 24 hours a day in the city of Telavi.