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

print

share

Otar Shamugia: "The decision of the Government is crucial for our wine growers, enabling them to deliver Saperavi variety grapes to wine companies on time and get paid properly

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr Otar Shamugia, visited the Kakheti region to get familiar with the current harvesting process.

"This year, we have an exceptionally plentiful, record crop yield in the Kakheti region, and we are expecting to receive around 300 thousand tonnes of grapes. In cooperation with the local authorities, the grape harvest coordination centres are vigorously organizing the grape harvesting process.

The Rkatsiteli grape variety delivery process is running smoothly; this year, we continue to subsidize Rkatsiteli grapes as in previous years. Rkatsiteli prices range from GEL 1 to GEL 1.10; in terms of the Saperavi grape variety, 40,000 tonnes have already been processed - two times more than in the same period last year. 

Moreover, grape growers are increasing their requests for crop delivery. There is an abundant crop of the Saperavi grapes; thus, there is a need for delivering crop as promptly as possible, ensuring that the quality does not deteriorate due to the climatic conditions and the harvest of the winegrowers does not spoil’’. said Minister Shamugia.

As stated by the Minister, the meeting was held with the Prime Minister. According to the decision of the Head of Government, ten state-owned enterprises have already started receiving the Saferavi grapes, and the growers will get GEL 1.50 per kilogram of grapes.

"It is essential to mention that those farmers who have delivered grapes less than this price will get compensation within the limits of GEL 1.50, which is the most significant decision for our growers, enabling them to deliver their crop on time and get paid properly.

I would like to express my special thanks to the Prime Minister for this matter. We have been assisting the viticulture and winemaking fields for years, and significant state assistance gives us the most concrete and tangible results reflected in the increase in wine exports, revenues, and harvests. The harvest increased by 4-5 times throughout these years. We will continue supporting winegrowers, and this decision confirms this fact," said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.