BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14
Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Export of Georgian wine has reached 100 million bottles from beginning of year to April 2021, said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia Levan Davitashvili, Trend reports via the ministry.
According to the calculations of the ministry, by 2030 Georgia should export wine in the amount of $1 billion. The Ministry of Agriculture hopes that Georgian wine would move into an internationally recognized category in target markets.
At a meeting with wine producers, the minister noted that advertising campaigns organized only by the state is not enough to popularize Georgian wine - the active participation of the private sector is also necessary.
Davitashvili also noted that the cultivation of high-quality grapes will help Georgian winemakers to take their rightful place in the export markets.
“From this year on, our goal is to prioritize wine quality over quantity. High-quality conditioned grapes improve the quality parameters of wine, which has a positive effect on the price of Georgian wine and, as a result, on the incomes of both winegrowers and producers. High quality will allow Georgian wine to take its rightful place on export markets,” Davitashvili said.
The minister noted that 2020 was a difficult and full of challenges for the wine industry. This year, the government's efforts will be aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the industry. It is also planned to create a 10-year strategy for the development of the wine sector, which will become part of the 10-year economic development plan for the country.
According to Davitashvili, more than 280,000 tons of grapes were harvested and processed in Georgia in 2020. More than 25,000 farmers donated grapes, their income amounted to 310 million lari ($90.7 million).
As for the export of Georgian wine, according to Davitashvili, there is a decline in income, which is not surprising given the global crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356