BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec.1
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
The pandemic has radically changed the situation in hazelnut-producing or processing companies in Georgia, Trend reports via Georgian media, said Mamuka Beriashvili, the NutsGe hazelnut processing enterprise director, Trend reports via Georgian media.
As Beriashvili explained, in addition to the complexity of logistics, companies also faced other problems.
According to him, the regulations required additional financial resources; banks have reduced working capital financing for exporters. Maintaining the distance between workers has led to reduced productivity.
"We had 120 employees and now have 40 due to the dangers posed by the pandemic. In connection with the start of the expected second wave of the pandemic, we only planned to produce roasted products, which halved our workforce, but this does not mean that production will stop. On the contrary, we look at next year with more motivation," Beriashvili said.
Some 11,311 tons of hazelnuts worth $59.3 million were exported from Georgia from August 1 to November 29, 2020.
In the reporting period, 3,060 tons of hazelnuts were exported, which is 37 percent more than in the same period of 2019. The export value increased by $18.7 million (46 percent).
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila6197935