Kakheti vine growers protest low grape prices

Vine growers from Kakheti, referred to as the “wine region” of Georgia, held a protest rally on Saturday, criticizing low grape prices. Around 100 farmers from different villages gathered on the Bakurtsikhe-Gurjaani highway to express their dissatisfaction.

A vine grower, Otar Malakmadze, highlighted that wine factories are currently offering 1.05 GEL per kilogram for Rkatsiteli grapes and 1.30 GEL for Saperavi grapes, prices he finds unacceptable.

“I have four hectares of vines and have not sold a single kilogram of grapes yet. The prices they are offering barely cover the cost of growing grapes. We demand the government intervene and set the price at 1.50 GEL per kilogram for Rkatsiteli and 2 GEL for Saperavi,” farmer told Radio Liberty.

Another vine grower, Archil Khozrevanidze, noted that wine factories are refusing to buy “Muscat” grapes, a variety that is abundant in the three villages, with an estimated 400 tons available.

“In previous years, we sold it without any issues, but now they say they do not want it… We won’t disperse until our demands are met,” he stressed.

The protesters are seeking a meeting with the State Representative in Kakheti and the Heads of the Harvest Coordination team.

The Georgian government plans to subsidize the harvest in 2024. At a government meeting on August 1, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the state would provide subsidies to any company that purchases and processes at least 100 tons of Rkatsiteli grapes from the Kakheti region, ensuring that farmers receive at least 1 GEL per kilogram.

The grape harvest in Kakheti is expected to begin at the end of August, with an anticipated yield of up to 300,000 tons this year. The direct subsidy of the harvest from the state budget has been ongoing for more than 11 years.