Government Subsidizes Vintage 2016 Harvest

Within the framework of the Vintage 2015 program, the government decided to issue 0.45 GEL per kilogram for Rkatsiteli grapes, 0.20 GEL per kilo for Saperavi and 0.45 GEL for one kilo of Kakhetian Green as subsidies. The highest price is on Mujuretuli/Aleksandrouli grapes with wine factories having to pay 2 GEL per kilo within the state subsidies program.

The statement was made by Georgia’s Minister of Agriculture Otar Danelia at the opening of the Vintage 2016 harvest coordination in Telavi, Kakheti Region.

The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili, Head of the National Wine Agency, Giorgi Samanishvili, and representatives of local government and wine producing companies.

Danelia spoke about the importance of the subsidies from the State, adding the decision was made considering the interest of viticulturists as well as the interests of winemakers.

According to the Minister, around 100 factories will receive grapes from village farmers and each farmer’s harvest will be purchased.

“The government is in total readiness to conduct an organized and trouble-free harvest,” Danelia said.

Moreover, the Minister stated that the preferential agro-credit project will continue for those wine and alcoholic beverage companies which promote a production increase. The maximum amount of agro-credit is 10 million GEL and the maximum period of loan is 15 months.

The coordination of Vintage 2016 is led by the Head of National Wine Agency, Giorgi Samanishvili, who said at the opening that subsidies will be given directly to the viticulturists, not to winemakers, just as they were last year.

After delivering the grapes to the factories, the village farmers will receive their money within 15 working days by presenting their ID cards.

The Head of the National Wine Agency said the coordination of Vintage 2016 will be situated in Telavi, Hotel 'Alazani Valley,' and its staff will work 24/24 to ensure active communication between state departments, industrialists and viticulturists.

Vintage 2016 started in Dedoplistskaro, Kakheti region, on Wednesday. So far, 1.3 thousand tons of grapes have been picked and delivered to two factories located in the region.

This year, Kakheti region is expected to have 200 thousand tons in grape harvest.

Thea Morrison