BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 10
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Nuts incorporated bought 1,800 hectares of hazelnut orchards from Ferrero's subsidiary AgriGeorgia, said Tornike Latatia, director of Nuts incorporated, Trend reports via Georgian media.
The head of the company does not speak about the reasons for the sale of the gardens but notes that they are working on an expansion, again at the expense of the company. According to him, out of 1,800 hectares, only 1,100 are cultivated, and the company will restore the remaining 700 hectares at its own expense.
As a result, the company now manages 2,600 hectares of orchards, of which 800 hectares are almond plantations in Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Kvemo Kartli, and 1,800 hectares are hazelnut orchards in Samegrelo.
Latatia shared the goals and plans of Nuts incorporated to expand and enter the hazelnut market.
“The volume and range of products sold are important for the company. So we decided to start working with hazelnuts along with almonds. The larger the scale of the sale, the lower the price and cost. Accordingly, we are following the plan to increase volumes,” said the director of Nuts incorporated.
Up to 1,000 tons of hazelnuts and up to 100 tons of almonds - these are the company's expectations for the harvest in 2022. The local manufacturer plans to sell its products mainly in the export markets, which it is currently exploring.
“Next year we will get the first harvest from almond orchards, for which we have already selected export markets. In this respect, the country with the highest purchasing power is Germany which has the highest volume of purchases. Great Britain is a close second. The US satisfies 65 percent of European demand, due to high volumes, the US can offer a low price, but in terms of logistics, we are very competitive due to the geographic location of Georgia. As for hazelnuts, export markets are scattered, but we will export hazelnuts to the same markets as almonds,” explained Latatia.
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