Georgian grape harvest processes “record” 300,000 tonnes so far - Agriculture Ministry

The Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia on Monday said a “record-breaking” 300,000 tonnes of grapes had been processed in the country during the ongoing harvest.

Nearing completion in the eastern winemaking region of Kakheti and underway in the western region of Racha, the harvest has generated income for the 20,000 winegrowers involved, with sales reaching ₾450 million ($164.25mln).

The Ministry said the majority of the processed grapes, totalling 296,000 tonnes, were harvested in Kakheti, with an additional 1,700 tonnes in Racha and 304 tonnes in Lechkhumi in the west, and the rest from other regions across Georgia.

The body added Lechkhumi was currently experiencing an “active harvest” involving “unique” local varieties such as Tvishi and Okureshi Usakhelauri.

In a bid to “promote the sale of the harvest, maintain grape quality, and support the stable development of the wine industry”, the Georgian Government announced harvest subsidies.

Under this initiative, companies that paid a minimum of ₾1.00 ($0.37) per kilogram to winegrowers for Rkatsiteli grapes harvested in Kakheti qualified for state subsidies. In Racha, companies that compensated winegrowers with at least ₾8 ($2.93) per kilogram for Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in the Khvanchkara microzone received a state subsidy of ₾4 ($1.46).