Private Sector

11) Bank of Georgia, Visa and others partner to support farmers

June 1st, 2020, https://cbw.ge/economy/bank-of-georgia

Bank of Georgia is continuing its support of local entrepreneurs and farmers by launching a campaign in cooperation with Visa, soplidan.ge and the Georgia’s Farmers' Association. The aim of the campaign is to support farmers and help them increases their sales. It has the added benefit of giving consumers the opportunity to purchase natural products from rural areas at a discounted price.

The partnership between Bank of Georgia, Visa, soplidan.ge, and the Farmers' Association will make a significant contribution to supporting farmers, providing high-quality customer service and promoting local products.

12) Georgia prepares for bumper peach, nectarine harvest

June 3rd, 2020, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/1737

Farmers and fruit growers in Georgia's Kakheti region are preparing for a bumper peach and nectarine season, during which about 35,000 tons of fruit is expected to be harvested. Of this total volume, about 15,000 tons will be exported, while the rest will be sold locally. A special peach and nectarine harvest coordination center will be opened in the town of Gurjaani for the issuing of documents required for exports.

Last year Georgia exported 13,256 tons of peaches and nectarines.

13) 80 tons of blueberries expected to be harvested this year

June 12th, 2020, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/1857

Georgia is expecting to harvest about 80 tons of blueberries this year, the result of an increased area (by 16 hectares) used for blueberry production. A number of state projects in recent years have supported the revival of berry production in general and blueberry production specifically. Currently, the price for blueberries varies between GEL 13 and GEL 15, which provides a good income for producers.

Demand for blueberries is currently high in both domestic and international markets.

14) Racha ham and Gurjaani peaches added to list for geographical indication

June 12th, 2020, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/1844

Ham from Racha (Western Georgia) and peaches from Gurjaani (Eastern Georgia) are being added to the list of geographically-indicated products. This will help both products become more widely recognized and strengthen producers’ capacities as well as help them more easily collaborate in associations.

15) Slaughterhouses processed more than 40,000 tons of meat in 2019

June 16th, 2020, https://bm.ge/en/article/slaughterhouses-processed-40-3291-t-of-meat-in-2019--geostat/58611/

A total of more than 438,000 livestock were slaughtered in the 106 slaughterhouses active in Georgia in 2019, resulting in over 40,000 tons of meat being produced. Of the produced meat: 40.4% was beef; 38.8% was poultry meat; and 3.9% was pork meat. The share of sheep and goat meat was not significant.

In total, slaughtering services were provided to 40,300 persons, 38.6% of which were households. Slaughterhouses employed a total of 957 people.

16) Digital marketing and digital channels important for small Georgian wineries

June 18th, 2020, https://mepa.gov.ge/En/News/Details/18985

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Khatia Tsilosani met with representatives of small wineries to discuss wine industry problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as ways to overcome existing challenges. The pandemic has had a significant negative impact on small wineries, affecting exports and stopping wine-related tourism. Accordingly, sides at the meeting discussed the need for alternative ways of promoting wine in international markets. For her part, the Deputy Minister encouraged small wineries to embrace digital marketing tools and digital channels to help popularize and sell their products. The Deputy Minister also spoke about the ongoing programs developed under the Agricultural Anti-Crisis Plan, noting that farmers, including owners of small wine cellars, are eligible to receive significant support in a number of areas such as tax breaks, access to preferential financial credit resources and technical assistance projects.

17) 2019 agricultural review

June 25th, 2020, http://georgiatoday.ge/news/21596/Agri-Review-%7C-The-Agricultural-Sector-In-2019

On 15 June 2020, the National Statistics Office of Georgia published its annual publication for the agricultural sector. The publication shows that agriculture, forestry and fishing comprised 7.2% of nominal GDP in 2019, slightly lower than the 7.8% share in 2018 but in line with the general trend over the last five years. In real terms, agriculture, forestry and fishing contributed 7.4% to GDP in 2019, lower than its contribution of 7.9% in 2018. Real output declined by 4% in 2019 compared to 2018, though the share of income from the sale of agricultural production in the total income of households did not change from 2018 (remaining at 5.5% for a monthly average of GEL 60.3).

Additional information on the state of the agricultural sector can be found here.

18) Georgian company exports 20 tons of berries to the United States

June 26th, 2020, https://cbw.ge/economy/georgian-strawberry-and-berry-go-to-the-usa

LLC Glenberries, a company founded with state financial support, has announced that it has completed the export of 20 tons of shock-frozen strawberries and other berries to the United States. The company is considered a model for the development and the unveiling of the true potential of Georgian agriculture. It also serves as an example for how a company run properly can support farmers.

LLC Glenberries was established in 2018 with financial support provided under the United Agro Project. Total investments into the establishment were approximately GEL 5 million, which includes GEL 600,000 in grants provided under the state-run agricultural project.

LLC Glenberries employs 150 local residents and is compliant with ISO 22 000 international food safety standards.

19) Wine sales down 10-15%

June 26th, 2020, https://bm.ge/en/article/quotsales-of-the-wine-sector-decreased-by-10-15quot---the-minister-/59288/

According to the Minister of Agriculture, wine sales have decreased by 10-15% due to the impact of COVID-19. This is due to a decline in exports and the near cessation of all activities at hotels, restaurants and cafes. In response, the government is working with winemakers to come up with viable solutions to help the industry rebound.

Prepared by Business & Finance Consulting (BFC) www.bfconsulting.com Articles are taken directly from local sources without any fact-checking; they are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Business & Finance Consulting (BFC)’s editing is limited to providing a short summary in English of the texts, highlighting the main points of the original articles. All rights reserved by the authors. BFC takes no responsibility and does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, or assume any responsibility whatsoever for the content, accuracy, and reliability, or completeness of any of the articles.