Page 62 - GEORptNov21

Georgia expects annual wine exports to reach $1bn by 2031
164,000 tonnes of grapes processed in Georgian wine region so far this season
Georgia plans to increase hazelnut exports to rank second in the world
tap generated $270mn in revenue (up by 15%).
The National Wine Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia has reported that Georgian global wine exports continue to grow, posting a growth rate of 13% y/y to date this year, with exports to the US running 35% ahead of last year.
The improvement builds on five consecutive years of similar growth. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said on August 13 that Georgian wine exports are expected to reach $1bn by 2031.
A total of 164,000 tonnes of grapes had been processed in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti as of September 22, the Georgian National Wine Agency announced.
Out of the processed grapes, about 96,000 tonnes were of the Rkatsiteli variety, 60,000 tonnes were Saperavi, 3,300 tonnes were Kakhuri Mtsvane and the remainder were various different grape varieties.
The grape harvest generally begins in September in Georgia’s winemaking regions of Kakheti, Imereti and Racha; however this year it started in August in Kakheti after heavy hail and wind destroyed 4,600 hectares of vineyards in about 30 villages.
Head of the National Wine Agency of Georgia Levan Mukhuzla said that this year Georgia harvested fewer grapes, but they were better quality ones compared to previous years.
“This will improve the quality of wine in general which in the long run will have a positive impact on the price of Georgian wine and, consequently, on the incomes of both grape growers and entrepreneurs. High quality will allow Georgian wine to establish a proper place in export markets,” Muzhula said. The grape harvest will start in the first half of October in Georgia’s Racha-Lechkumi region, which is famous for its Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grape varieties. The famous semi-sweet Georgian red wine of Khvanchkara is made from these unique grape varieties.
The Georgian government has decided to subsidise the 2021 grape harvest due to the post-pandemic situation in order to financially support farmers.
Georgia plans to increase its hazelnut production and exports until it reaches second place in the world rankings, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili announced on August 26.
"Our task should be to step by step take second place in just a few years. We have an ambitious plan and vision to make Georgia the second largest producer of hazelnuts in the world," Gharibashvili told reporters.
On August 9, the EU decided to simplify export procedures for hazelnuts exported from Georgia.The examination frequency for Georgian hazelnuts will be reduced from 50% to 20%.
According to the prime minister, the hazelnut business is very successful in Georgia. The country is the third largest producer of hazelnuts, behind only first-placed Turkey and second-placed Italy.
Hazelnuts are among the main export goods of Georgia. They are mostly exported to EU countries, as well as to Armenia and Russia.
From August 1 last year to February 9 this year Georgia exported 15.6 thousand tonnes of hazelnuts worth $81.2mn.
The volume of exports of hazelnuts during this period doubled compared to the same period of 2019-2020. In monetary terms, the value of exports increased by $27.7mn.
62 GEORGIA Country Report November 2021 www.intellinews.com