The coordination headquarters for Rtveli 2024 has been opened in Telavi
Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, attended the opening of the coordination headquarters for Harvest 2024 in Telavi. The minister emphasized that the state has prioritized the viticulture and winemaking sector for years and has made significant investments to support its development.
According to the minister, the cooperation between the state, private sector, winemakers, and companies has yielded positive results, evident in the growth of production and wine exports. Annual income for winegrowers in Kakheti has increased from 50 million to an expected 350 million this year. The minister attributed this success to the correct policies implemented. He highlighted the importance of demand for wine, as it directly affects the price of grapes. To support the industry, the government provides assistance to companies and growers, from primary production to sales. Significant funding is allocated each year for marketing events in the global market, as increased demand for wine leads to higher grape prices.
Last year, the minimum price for Rkatsiteli grapes was set at 90 tetris, though the average price was approximately 1 GEL and 5 tetris. The minister expressed expectations for this year's price to be higher than the specified minimum. The main objective is to encourage the private sector to purchase as many grapes as possible and subsequently produce and sell wine.
It should be noted that in order to promote the sale of grapes and support the stable development of the winemaking industry, the Georgian government is providing vintage subsidies this year as well. This initiative will enable over 20,000 winegrowers to sell their harvest and will also benefit 500 companies involved in the vintage process, allowing them to purchase and process grapes without interruption.
All companies purchasing and processing a minimum of 100 tons of Rkatsiteli grapes from the Kakheti region during the 2024 harvest will receive a state subsidy. These companies must pay a minimum price of 1.00 GEL per 1 kg of grapes to the growers. In the Kakheti region, the subsidy provided to companies is 0.20 GEL per 1 kg of Rkatsiteli grapes.
The vintage coordination headquarters and the hotline of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture (1501) in the city of Telavi are open 24 hours a day to assist with the coordination of the harvest.