BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Harvesting apples in Georgia this year, in comparison with the last year, will be 50-60 percent higher, and prices lower by 10-20 percent, says Ilya Mishchenko, director and co-founder of a large Georgian apple producer GUFruit, Trend reports citing Georgian media.
“In 2019, the apple harvest in Georgia was at the level of 44,000 tons, which is 47 percent lower than the previous year. This year the weather is more favorable, and I think the harvest will be 65,000-70,000 tons, which is 50-60 percent more than in last year", said Mishchenko.
According to him, in 2019, apple prices were higher than in 2018. The company's harvest in 2019 was 20 percent lower than the previous one, and this year the company expects growth of 30 percent.
“Average apple prices in the upcoming season, compared to last season, will be 10-20 percent lower,” Mishchenko said.
Domestic market will be the priority for the company GUFruit this year. However, it does not exclude exports to Russia at the beginning of the season.
GUFruit was established in 2012. The company's assets include 33 hectares of apple orchards in the Bolnisi region (Kvemo Kartli region, Eastern Georgia).
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356