The United National Movement (UNM) and its founder former president Mikheil Saakashvili, have proposed a minimum price increase for grapes ahead of Georgia’s harvest season. The initiative was voiced by Giorgi Botkoveli, the party’s regional secretary, calling for a minimum price of 2.30 GEL for Rkatsiteli grapes and 3.50 GEL for Saperavi grapes, as part of a broader effort to support local farmers.
Botkoveli accused the government of a lack of response to vineyard protests, where farmers have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with low grape prices. Despite numerous demonstrations across various municipalities, Botkoveli noted that no government official has addressed the farmers’ concerns or explained why the current pricing is inadequate.
“The Georgian Dream government, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, is ignoring the voices of vineyard owners. The current price of around 1 GEL per kilogram of grapes is the result of a decision by Ivanishvili and his circle, who aim to turn the grape harvest into a monopoly for personal gain,” Botkoveli stated.
He further accused the government of creating logistical challenges for farmers, forcing them to travel long distances to find buyers. He claimed this disorganization benefits large corporations while driving small farmers out of business.
Botkoveli also highlighted the need for European Union support in the agricultural sector, citing successful EU-funded initiatives in countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Romania. He stressed that after the October 26 elections, the UNM plans to align Georgia’s agricultural policies with EU standards to promote small, family-owned wineries and reduce farmers’ dependence on large processing plants.
“We want Georgia to be part of the EU because of the significant support it offers for agriculture. The EU allocates 1.6 billion euros annually to help develop the wine and vineyard sector in various countries. Romania, for instance, received 400 million euros in EU funding after joining in 2007,” Botkoveli said.
He contrasted this with what he described as the Georgian government’s “mafioso tactics” of pocketing subsidies and offering minimal support to farmers. Botkoveli assured that the UNM’s proposed changes would direct all future agricultural funds toward developing small wineries and ensuring fair grape prices for farmers, rather than benefiting large corporations.
