Grape Harvest in Kakheti and Racha Nears Completion Amid High Activity

As of October 13, a total of 283 thousand tons of grapes have been processed in Kakheti. Of this volume, 145 thousand tons are Rkatsiteli, 120 thousand tons are Saperavi, and the remainder consists of other grape varieties.

Over the past 24 hours, approximately 8 thousand tons of grapes were processed in Kakheti, indicating the high intensity of the harvest season.

In Racha, specifically in the Ambrolauri municipality, 1.8 thousand tons of Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes have been processed. The forecasted harvest volume for Racha stands at around 2 thousand tons.

At this stage, about 20,000 winegrowers and farmers have submitted their harvest in Kakheti and Racha, and 521 enterprises have been involved in the grape collection and processing process.

To support private sector involvement and organize the grape harvest in Racha, a government-initiated subsidy program is being implemented. Under this program, any company that purchases and processes at least 3 tons of Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in the Khvanchkara microzone and pays the winegrower a minimum of 8 GEL per kilogram will receive a state subsidy of 4 GEL per kilogram for both grape varieties.

In contrast, private wine companies in Kakheti will no longer receive subsidies. Instead, by the decision of the Government of Georgia, the state-owned enterprise LLC "Crop Management Company" will collect surplus grapes based on a differentiated pricing scheme determined by grape quality:

• Saperavi grapes grown in Kakheti – 1.50 GEL per kg

• Other wine varieties permitted by the Law of Georgia “On Vine and Wine” – 1.20 GEL per kg

• Substandard, damaged or diseased grapes – 1.00 GEL per kg