The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, David Songulashvili, visited the Grape Harvest Coordination Centre in Gurjaani to learn about its operations.

The coordination centre will coordinate the grape harvest process, provide relevant information to winegrowers and wine producers, and ensure the prompt resolution of issues arising in connection with the harvest. It will operate 24 hours a day throughout the harvest season.

Minister emphasised the importance of developing Georgia’s viticulture and winemaking sector, improving grape quality, and implementing a pricing policy differentiated according to grape quality.

“Supporting the viticulture and winemaking sector is a priority for the state. For the sustainable and long-term development of the industry, it is particularly important to produce competitive, high-value products, which will ultimately determine the position and competitiveness of Georgian wine in international markets.

The introduction of quality-based differentiated grape pricing serves precisely this purpose.

The respective approach was successfully adopted during last year’s harvest, providing winegrowers with an additional incentive to ensure that their grapes met the required quality and condition standards. This year, we are placing even greater emphasis on this direction, which will contribute to improving the quality of Georgian wine and strengthening our export position in international markets”, - said David Songulashvili.

Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency and Head of the Grape Harvest Coordination Centre; Platon Kalmkhelidze, State Representative in the Kakheti region; Members of Parliament; and mayors of the municipalities of Kakheti attended the meeting.

Levan Mekhuzla outlined the key areas of activity of the Grape Harvest Coordination Centre and expressed hope that this year’s harvest would proceed successfully, yield a high-quality crop, and further strengthen the position of Georgian wine in international markets.

Notably, under a decision of the Government of Georgia, if the grape harvest exceeds expectations, all winegrowers will have the opportunity to sell their grapes, ensuring the entire harvest is sold.

For this purpose, Harvest Management Company LLC will purchase grapes harvested in the Kakheti region from individuals at the following established prices:

Saperavi grapes that are in proper condition, undamaged, and have a sugar content of at least 21% will be purchased at GEL 1.50 per kilogram / Saperavi grapes that do not meet the required condition standards, have a sugar content of 17% to 21%, and/or are partially damaged will be purchased at GEL 0.90 per kilogram / Saperavi grapes with a sugar content of less than 17% and/or damaged grapes will be purchased at GEL 0.30 per kilogram.

In the case of other grape varieties permitted under the Law of Georgia on Vine and Wine, the purchase price for undamaged grapes with a sugar content of at least 20% will be GEL 1.30 per kilogram; grapes with a sugar content of between 17% and 20% will be purchased at GEL 0.80 per kilogram, while grapes with a sugar content of less than 17% will be purchased at GEL 0.30 per kilogram.

Information related to the grape harvest is available through the following hotline numbers: 1501 and 032 2 219 37 18.