Gov't to Subsidize Grape Harvest

The government says it is to subsidize the 2020 grape harvest, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated at today's government meeting while speaking about the upcoming harvest season. 

The PM underlined that the government will subside this process, with emphasis on special varieties like Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane, which will be priced at no lower than 0.80 GEL.

He noted that relevant budget resources have already been allocated, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture has received necessary instructions to that end.

“If need be, the state will get involved in procurement. In any case, Georgian vineyard growers should know that the minimal price of Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane will be 0.80 GEL, and that is the minimum we can provide as assistance to our vineyard growers amid the pandemic," he stated.

Gakharia singled out Georgian villages and farmers as a key group targeted by the Government’s anti-crisis plan.

“We have done everything, and used various tools, to help them. Georgian farmers have seen us through the crisis. We are all aware of the way our viniculture and viticulture have been developing in recent years. 2019 was a record-breaking year, with 94 million bottles exported from Georgia, and domestic consumption also growing. Georgian winemaking’s share in the overall export of 2012 was 2.5%, but today it is 6%, marking a serious dynamic in the sector’s development and growth. That is why we were obligated to pay due attention to this sector by developing a special anti-crisis plan for vineyard growers, especially in light of the upcoming harvest,” he said.