Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, visited Racha in the Ambrolauri Municipality to meet with local winegrowers and observe the ongoing grape harvest.

“The harvest in Racha is progressing well. We anticipate approximately 2,000 tons this year, with nearly 500 tons already processed. Ensuring a quality harvest is crucial. Our headquarters is actively engaged in this process. This year, we continue to subsidize the Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grape varieties to help growers deliver their crops on time and increase their incomes. Notably, the minimum price for grapes is set at GEL 8, which includes a state subsidy of GEL 4,” Shamugia stated.

As of September 26, the agency reported that up to 500 tons of grapes have been processed in Racha, with 27 companies actively participating in the harvesting and processing. Enterprises are collecting grapes from 17 different locations.

According to the ministry, to protect varietal integrity and ensure the quality of the local wine “Kvanchkara,” ampelographers are monitoring grapes at all collection points. Additionally, specific checkpoints have been established at the region’s entrances to prevent the importation of grapes from other municipalities and avoid mixing them with Mujuretuli and Alexandrouli varieties. A coordination headquarters has also been set up in Ambrolauri to oversee the harvest process. For more information, the public can reach the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture hotline at 1501.

During his visit, Minister Shamugia also participated in the harvest with local winegrower Kakhaber Getsadze in the village of Itsa. Getsadze has cultivated Mujuretuli and Alexandrouli grapes on a 1-hectare plot and plans to deliver a significant portion of his harvest—up to 4 tons—to a wine company. To encourage private sector involvement in the harvesting process and ensure timely and efficient operations while maintaining grape quality, the government has implemented a subsidy program for the Racha region.

Companies that purchase and process at least 3 tons of Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in the Khvanchkara microzone will receive a subsidy and must compensate growers at least GEL 8. In the Racha-Lechkhumi region, businesses are granted a state subsidy of GEL 4 for every kilogram of Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes.

Papuna Margvelidze, the state representative of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti; majority deputy Gocha Enukidze; deputy minister of environment protection and agriculture Yuri Nozadze; as well as local government representatives accompanied the minister.