News
Otar Shamugia: "This year, the price of medium- and high-quality hazelnuts is 30–40% more expensive than in the same period last year."
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, visited the Guria and Samegrelo regions, where he met with the hazelnut producers and got familiar with the ongoing harvesting, handling, storing, and sale of products.
"We met farmers in the Guria and Samegrelo regions and got acquainted with the current situation. Both the quality and quantity of the hazelnut crop have improved this year. Regarding prices, medium- and high-quality hazelnuts are around 30–40% more expensive this year than in the same period last year. This indicates that the producers' revenue from the sale of hazelnuts will increase significantly and exceed GEL 250 million, which is essential. We make tremendous efforts to support farmers in having access to financial resources. Moreover, we teach them and raise their awareness to properly maintain their gardens for high-quality produce which directly means more income. Therefore, we started another support program, which continued this year. We help small farmers and owners of large gardens", said Mr. Otar Shamugia.
The Governors of Guria and Samegrelo regions, Majoritarian MP Mr. Giorgi Khakhubia, the Director of the Rural Development Agency, Mr. Davit Tsitlidze, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Hazelnut Producers Association, Mr. Merab Chitanava, and the representatives of the relevant departments accompanied the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture in Guria and Samegrelo regions, where high-rank officials inspected the hazelnut orchards and processing-storage infrastructure.