Vintage 2017.
The minister noted that the government will have a new approach to the organization of vintage 2017 as a result of the current situation in the winemaking sector.
“The tendency of wine export in recent years is progressive, and the conjuncture in this field has been improved. We expect, that the vintage process will be organized and the private sector will have great interest and demand for the purchase of grapes. Accordingly, the state will not need subsidy on the part of wine processing in main industrial varieties like Saperavi and Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane \"- noted Levan Davitashvili.
The minister also remarked that the government continues to promote brand production with various mechanisms, including preferential agro credits.
“In recent years we have seen that the quality of Georgian brand and the production process is improved, and we will have compensation for Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane, if the companies produce brand and concentrated sweet of grape, they will receive compensation from the state by 35 Tetri in order to offer them competitive pricing policy and give more motivation to involve in the process. This way, we promote brand spirit production, which is the filling industry together with the wine sector” - noted Levan Davitashvili.
According to the Minister, some news are planned in the Racha-Lechkhumi region for the improvement of the sector.
“In case of appellation wine “Khvanchkara”, we have amendments in wine specification according to which from 2019 the processing should be carried out directly in the area of the origin, which is very important news for the local residents and producers. This should be a painless move and we are giving wine companies the time limit until 2019, \" -stated Levan Davitashvili.
As a result of measures taken by the state in recent years, the state of viticulture and winemaking is as follows: 24 new enterprises have been funded and are working now(alcoholic beverages, wine production, brand production), 48 enterprises have been expanded (wine production, brand production), 5 123 hectare vineyard has been insured within the agronomic state program, export market is being actively diversified, export of wine and spirits has stable increasing tendency, and, accordingly, companies have increased demand for grape purchase.
Taking into consideration all the above mentioned, there is no need to issue a subsidy on quality, conditioned grapes in Kakheti region in 2017 and according to the decree, it will no longer be issued.
According to the decision of the government, wine companies that purchase 1 kg of grapes of Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane grapes for the production of brandy spirit and concentrated sweet of grapes will be purchased at least 70 tetri.
Due to the special significance - preserved appellations - the subsidy will be retained for the 2017 vintage season in the Racha-Lechkhumi region of Khvanchkara varieties - Aleqsandrouli and Mujuretuli - 1 kg - 2 GEL.
It is remarkable that since 2019, it will be restricted to replace the grape varieties from the Racha-Lechkhumi region (Mujuretuli, Aleksandrouli) for processing in other regions. Government decision - the subsidiary of Mujuretuli and Aleksandrouli in the framework of the vintage of 2017- will support development of wine processing enterprises in Racha.
According to the decree, a coordination staff has been set up by the representatives of LEPL National Wine Agency, Ministries of Agriculture, Economy and Sustainable Development and Internal Affairs, NAPR Agricultural Project Management Agency and state representatives - governors (Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi, Svaneti Regions).
Special space will be set up for self-governing cities for grape purchase.
With the purpose of promoting production, wine and alcoholic beverage companies will continue to pay loans in the framework of preferential agro credit projects.