The Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, said over 28,000 tonnes of citrus worth USD 15.9 million had been exported to various markets during the ongoing season.

“With coordinated work, the crop will be fully stored… The Government of Adjara has implemented several programmes to support farmers, promoting both the production and processing of agricultural products. We visited a processing plant that had just opened. The operation of such enterprises is crucial for the region. We will continue to provide maximum support to farmers and entrepreneurs”, - said David Songulashvili after visiting the Kobuleti municipality to observe the ongoing efforts with Tornike Rizhvadze, Chairman of the Adjara Regional Government.

The officials visited Iberia Orbis Citrus, a processing enterprise that currently employs around 200 people. The facility was capable of receiving, sorting, and paraffinising 120 tonnes of citrus fruits daily, with plans to handle and export up to 1,000 tonnes of standard citrus this year, alongside non-standard tangerines. They also inspected a non-standard citrus reception and processing facility operated by Georgian Industrial Asset Management Group.

To ensure smooth execution and sale during the citrus season, Adjara authorities have established a coordination headquarters that will be operational until February 1. Over 20 enterprises receiving and sorting citrus in the region are equipped to handle export of tangerines, while 2 processing factories in Kobuleti municipality are dedicated to managing non-standard fruits, the body added.

This year, in response to local agricultural needs, the Adjara Government has increased the state subsidy for industrial processing of non-standard mandarins to 35 tetri per kilogram, a 10-tetri increase compared to last year. Consequently, the price for tangerines selected for processing is now set at 40 tetri, of which farmers receive 5 tetri.