The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Otar Shamugia paid a visit to Kakheti region where he got acquainted with the grape harvesting process.

Our primary task is to ensure, that each grape grower fully handles and stores their crop, therefore the PM and the Government of Georgia made a decision to subsidize the grape varieties of Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane in 2022 as well.

This support is necessary for post harvest handling and storing of a large amount of grape crops on the one hand, and, on the other hand, we can maintain acceptable prices. We believe, that about 25,000 families will receive an income of up to GEL 300 million in Kakheti and this is crucial.

I would also like to mention, that there is a great demand for quality grapes; In the case of Rkatsiteli, prices range from 95 tetri to GEL 1.1, and in the case of Saferavi grapes, the prices vary from GEL 1.5 to GEL 1.7, Mr. Otar Shamugia said.

The Minister visited the villages of Busheti and Ozhio, where he looked over the vineyards of local farmers and took part in the harvesting process as well.

The vine grower Temur Kaliashvili has cultivated grape varieties of Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri green in his home garden in the village of Busheti, Telavi municipality. Part of the grape crop is pressed for personal consumption, and the remained part is delivered to the wine industry. As mentioned by Temur Kaliashvili, he has already delivered part of the harvest without any delay.

The farmer Beka Nakhutsrishvili owns a vineyard planted on 26 ha of agricultural land area in the village of Ozhio, where he produces different types of wine. According to Nakhutsrishvili at this stage he sells wine in the local market, although he plans to export his wine to international markets in the future.