David Songulashvili was Briefed on Apple Harvesting and Storage Progress in the Shida Kartli Region

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, received detailed information about the ongoing apple harvesting and storage process during a working meeting at the Coordinating Center in Gori.

"To promote the growth of agricultural production, the state consistently implements targeted programs and initiatives. We have recently launched a state program to support the efficient storage of apple harvest, enabling farmers to store their crops and generate additional income. Moreover, we have established a Coordinating Headquarters to ensure organized coordination of the process," stated Mr. David Songulashvili.

The representatives of fruit processing enterprises participating in the state program attended the working meeting.

 Entrepreneurs have expressed satisfaction with both the support provided for the sale of non-standard apples and the effective functioning of the Coordinating Center.

One of the challenges this year is the labor shortage, which has slowed down the apple-picking process.

Notably, to support the sale and production of apples, the state launched the "Industrial Apple Sale Promotion Program" on September 9. Within the program, fruit processing companies are eligible for subsidies if they purchase non-standard apples at a price not less than 27 tetri per kilogram before December 15, 2025. The Rural Development Agency will provide a subsidy of 10 tetri per kilogram for non-standard apples.

The employees of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, and the Rural Development Agency are actively involved in the operations of the Coordinating Headquarters to support the implementation of the non-standard apple sales program. 


As of October 7, 14 fruit processing enterprises participating in the program have purchased up to 8,000 tonnes of non-standard apples, generating over GEL 2 million in income for farmers.


The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Lasha Dolidze, State Representative in the Shida Kartli region, Mr. Simon Guleldani, and Acting Director of the Rural Development Agency, Mr. Giorgi Avaliani, accompanied the Minister.