Hazelnut Processing Plant Opens in Kakheti Region

The hazelnut sorting, drying, and storing complex has opened in the village of Eniseli, Kvareli District, Kakheti Region. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the complex employs 16 local residents and will serve about 300 farmers in Kakheti Region every year.

The complex inauguration ceremony was attended by the USAID mission director Peter Weibler and Deputy Agriculture Minister Khatia Tsilosani.

LLC Agri Management Group of Georgia has obtained the state financial assistance component and attracted investments of about GEL 1 million as part of the United Agro Project, including grants of GEL 370,000 and preferential agro loan of GEL 300,000.

“The hazelnut processing complex will serve farmers and enable hazelnut growers to produce high-quality products. We expect to pick about 50,000 tons of hazelnut that will enable us to generate certain capital in the economy at the expense of export markets”, Khatia Tsilosani noted.

“The private sector’s engagement in complex development was of crucial importance. The complex will ensure the production of high-quality hazelnuts and consequently, incomes will also grow. New job places will be created. USAID stays always ready to provide technical assistance to similar initiatives together with the Agriculture Ministry and the private sector”, Peter Weibler noted.
The complex was built with the support of the Georgian Agriculture Ministry, USAID, FERRERO company, and Georgian Hazelnits Sector Development Project (G-HIP).