The state company will receive Saperavi grapes in up to 10 locations for GEL 1.50, the Government will compensate the difference to the growers who have delivered the grapes of Saperavi variety at a lower price. Such a statement made today the Prime Minister of Georgia.

“You all know well that Georgia is the homeland of wine, and Georgian wine is one of the main businesses of our country. Accordingly, the Government of Georgia attaches special importance to the development of viticulture and winemaking.

It is the result of the efforts of the Georgian government that after 2012, the area of vineyards in Georgia has increased by 70%, the rate of grape processing has increased by 5 times, and the export of Georgian wine has increased by 4 times.

Last year, Georgia received a record income of USD 259 million from wine exports, while in 2012 the income was only USD 71.5 million. The income of winegrowers increased from GEL 35 million to GEL 300 million.

This year’s forecast grape harvest is a record and amounts to 300 000 tons. This year, the Government of Georgia is also subsidizing the industry so that more than 20,000 winegrowers can sell their crops on time. As of today, 80,000 tons of grapes have already been processed. This year, the Saperavi grape harvest is also a record. Grapes are being delivered intensively and 35,000 tons of grapes have already been processed.

However, due to the climatic conditions, it became necessary to settle the crop as quickly as possible so that the grapes do not spoil and their processing takes place on time. Therefore, the demand for grapes from the growers is increasing every day.

Taking this into account, we made a decision to allocate additional resources and the state company will take over grapes of the Saperavi variety at up to 10 locations for GEL 1.50.

In addition, the government of Georgia will compensate the growers who have delivered Saperavi grapes for less than GEL 1.50.

I would like to thank the Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, as well as the Minister of Finance of Georgia, Lasha Khutsishvili, for supporting this decision. In the future, the Government of Georgia will continue to develop agriculture and, specifically, to support viticulture and winemaking, because strong agriculture means a strong peasant, a strong farmer and a strong village”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.