“Grape Purchase Prices Are Increasing” — Government Decision
“Following the Georgian government’s decision and consultations with Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songulashvili, we have decided to revise grape purchase prices.
Given this year’s heavy rainfall, which made it difficult for grapes to develop sufficient sugar content, new prices will apply according to grape quality,” said Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency, at a briefing held today at the harvest coordination headquarters in Gurjaani.
The new prices are as follows:
High-quality grapes:
- Saperavi with a sugar content above 20 degrees — GEL 1.50;
- Rkatsiteli and other grape varieties with a sugar content above 19 degrees — GEL 1.30.
Lower-quality grapes:
- Saperavi with a sugar content between 16 and 20 degrees — GEL 1.00;
- Rkatsiteli and other grape varieties with a sugar content between 16 and 19 degrees — GEL 0.90.
“Grapes with a sugar content below 16 degrees are considered substandard. They are unsuitable for either winemaking or spirit production and are effectively unripe. As you know, the government’s position is that not a single kilogram of grapes in the country will remain unsold. We are therefore making an exception to help growers cover their costs: these grapes will be purchased at GEL 0.50, while hybrid grapes will be purchased at GEL 0.30.
“For growers who have already delivered their grapes at the previously applicable prices, payments will be recalculated using the new rates, and they will receive compensation for the difference,” said Levan Mekhuzla.
Previously, undamaged Saperavi grapes meeting quality standards, with a sugar content of at least 21%, were purchased at GEL 1.50. Saperavi grapes with a sugar content between 17% and 21% and/or partial damage were purchased at GEL 0.90.
Saperavi grapes with a sugar content below 17% and/or damage were purchased at GEL 0.30. For other grape varieties permitted under Georgia’s Law on Vine and Wine, undamaged grapes with a sugar content of at least 20% were purchased at GEL 1.30. Grapes with a sugar content between 17% and 20% were purchased at GEL 0.80, while those below 17% were purchased at GEL 0.30
