Grape Harvest Subsidies Continues in 2022

According to Irakli Garibashvili, grape harvest subsidies will continue this year as well and the price per kilogram will be at least 0.90 GEL.

I wish to remind our citizens that the grape harvest will start very soon. Generally, viticulture-horticulture is a strategic segment of the economy in our country and our team has announced it as one of the key priorities since coming to power. It was stated by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at the Executive Government Meeting today.

“Very important results have been attained by the most accurate, effective and tangible steps made by us. For comparison, you may remember that prior to 2012 the government was gravely intruding instead of supporting and promoting viticulture-horticulture. They demanded vineyards to be cut down and to drop collecting grapes for further sale to processors. They were creating conditions where the cultivation of grapes would practically lose its sense by making the general process and situation overly complicated and by pressurizing the vineyard holders. We remember a number of cases of this kind very well. Also, let me remind you that only several dozen companies existed in viticulture and winemaking – about 30 in fact. This year at least 3000 companies operate on the market and their annual revenues amount to hundreds of millions of USD. Of course, about 25 000 vineyard holders are engaged in this process. It means that their families will become stronger and more prosperous by generating more income.

Now as to the grape harvest and decision made this year. Naturally, we discussed this topic and held a meeting to review the situation. We decided to subsidize the process this year again, of course. The price per kilo of white grapes will be at least 0.90 GEL and nothing will be left unsold. The state will provide maximum care and support to our vineyard owners. About 300 wineries will be engaged in this process. We already had promising meetings with them and are in full coordination. A Task Force has been established for the grape harvest, which is already operational. This year we expect a record-high yield – about 300 000 tons of grapes. It is a record-high indicator. By taking into account all these challenges and factors, grape harvest subsidies will continue this year as well, of course. Overall, the cost of state subsidies will reach about 150 MLN GEL. As it is a strategic segment of our economy and as our country is a Cradle of Wine – as it is assumed and evidenced that Georgians started winemaking on earth – it is essential that the right interventions and proper support need to be provided by the State for our vineyard holders. Thus, Otar [Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia] will disseminate detailed information among our vineyard holders and our population as grape harvest this year – 2022 – should be held in the most ideal manner” stated the Head of Government of Georgia.