Georgia prepares for grape harvest 2017
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The Government of Georgia is supporting the wine sector ahead of the major harvest season during which more than a hundred thousand tonnes of grapes will be picked, packed and sold locally or exported.
The 2017 wine harvest is expected to begin at the end of August in Georgia’s winemaking regions – Kakheti, Imereti and Racha.
The Government has already introduced several initiatives to support the sector and more actions are planned in the future.
Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili stated the wine sector had been developing in Georgia as a result of state support.
As of today the state has supported and financed 24 new enterprises involved in producing wine and other alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, 48 enterprises expanded their activities as a result of state support.
In total 5,123 hectares of vineyards are insured within the State Agriculture Insurance Program.
The diversification of wine markets is underway and the export of Georgian alcoholic beverages is on the rise year-on-year.
Taking into account all of the above-mentioned developments, the Government decided not to subsidise high quality grapes in Kakheti, while in Racha-Lechkhumi the grape varieties Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli will be subsidised.
Georgia has started creating cadastral maps of its vineyards, preparing alphanumeric information about viticulture and vineyards, including varieties and other characteristics.
Georgia is striving to recover unique and rare species of Georgian grape varieties and bring the disappearing grapevines back to life.
Unique Georgian grape varieties will be planted in China’s province of Ningxia that will raise awareness about Georgian grape varieties in the country.
37,800 tonnes of grapes picked so far
Grape growers in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region are continuing to reap the benefits of a bumper harvest. So far this season farmers have earned 32.4 million GEL by selling about 37,800 tonnes of grapes.
Georgia is getting ready for the major harvest season during which more than a hundred thousand tonnes of grapes will be picked, packed and sold locally or exported.
As summer draws to an end Georgia’s grape harvest season is just beginning with experts estimating 150,000 tonnes of grapes this year will be picked.
Georgia’s National Wine Agency says that 18.6 thousand tons of grapes have already been processed in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region.
Grape growers in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region are continuing to reap the benefits of a bumper harvest.
Farmers from Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region, famous for its ancient tradition of winemaking, have received 76.6 million GEL (31 mln USD) through selling their grapes to wineries, official figures read.