Tbilisi (GBC) - Otar Shamugia, the Georgian Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, on Saturday said the income of winegrowers involved in the ongoing harvest in the eastern region of Kakheti was expected to reach GEL 350 million this year.
Shamugia cited Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision to raise the price set for collecting the Saperavi variety from growers as evidence the Government was committed to supporting viticulture and winemaking.
We began this process in 2013. We are helping both vine growers and winemakers to advance the sector. We are very actively involved in the grape harvesting process every year. We subsidise various grape varieties where we see the necessity. We also help wine producers re-equip their factories, open new ones, and set up [storage] cellars”, the Minister told Imedi TV.
He noted over 3,000 small, medium, and large enterprises in the country produced wine, with 500 of them also exporting to countries around the world.
Exports are also increasing, which is also important. Last year, we had record figures for exports to the tune of $260 million, and this year, in the first eight months, wine exports are $200 million already. Overall, for the first time, we expect to generate USD 0.5 billion in revenue this year from wine and spirits export”, the Minister pointed out.
He also highlighted the importance of advertising campaigns aimed at promoting Georgian wine on international markets, with over GEL 100 million spent, and added the Ministry’s involvement would increase in the coming years.
Shamugia’s comments came in the wake of the National Wine Agency saying Kakheti was experiencing a “record grape harvest”, with 78,000 tonnes processed as of Thursday last week.
The Prime Minister also announced on Saturday that a state company would accept Saperavi variety for ₾1.5 per kilogram at up to 10 locations, while the Government would also cover the difference for those who had sold the type for less than GEL1.5 so far.
Otar Shamugia, the Georgian Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, on Saturday said the income of winegrowers involved in the ongoing harvest in the eastern region of Kakheti was expected to reach GEKL350 million this year.
Shamugia cited Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision to raise the price set for collecting the Saperavi variety from growers as evidence the Government was committed to supporting viticulture and winemaking.
We began this process in 2013. We are helping both vine growers and winemakers to advance the sector. We are very actively involved in the grape harvesting process every year. We subsidise various grape varieties where we see the necessity. We also help wine producers re-equip their factories, open new ones, and set up [storage] cellars”, the Minister told Imedi TV.
He noted over 3,000 small, medium, and large enterprises in the country produced wine, with 500 of them also exporting to countries around the world.
Exports are also increasing, which is also important. Last year, we had record figures for exports to the tune of $260 million, and this year, in the first eight months, wine exports are $200 million already. Overall, for the first time, we expect to generate $0.5 billion in revenue this year from wine and spirits export”, the Minister pointed out.
He also highlighted the importance of advertising campaigns aimed at promoting Georgian wine on international markets, with over GEL 100 million spent, and added the Ministry’s involvement would increase in the coming years.
Shamugia’s comments came in the wake of the National Wine Agency saying Kakheti was experiencing a “record grape harvest”, with 78,000 tonnes processed as of Thursday last week.
The Prime Minister also announced on Saturday that a state company would accept Saperavi variety for ₾1.5 per kilogram at up to 10 locations, while the Government would also cover the difference for those who had sold the type for less than GEL1.5 so far.
