The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has relaunched a co-financing grant programme for small and medium-sized hazelnut producers in Georgia, under the EU- and Sweden-funded ENPARD IV initiative, to strengthen food safety practices and improve product quality.

Building on a previously delivered support package for the sector, the initiative focuses on improving post-harvest management practices, a critical stage at which improper drying and storage can lead to aflatoxin contamination, rendering produce unfit for market and causing significant financial losses for growers.

The grants are open to active hazelnut producers in the regions of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Guria, Kakheti, Adjara, and Imereti, who have already completed FAO-supported training in hazelnut production, food safety, and post-harvest management.

By combining technical knowledge with financial backing, the programme gives farmers the means to translate improved practices into tangible investment. Selected beneficiaries will receive co-financing towards the purchase of modern equipment essential for the safe and efficient handling of post-harvest processes. FAO’s donors will cover 70 per cent of the investment cost, with beneficiaries contributing the remainder.

Co-financing grants are available to farmers who own hazelnut orchards of between 0.5 and 30 hectares, hold legal entity status, and meet additional technical requirements. Eligible equipment includes vertical hazelnut dryers, conveyor belts and/or vertical elevators, foreign body removers, and hazelnut sorting tables, all selected specifically to improve the drying process and reduce the risk of contamination.

“This initiative builds on the progress we have achieved working alongside hazelnut producers across Georgia. Farmers who have already deepened their knowledge are now being allowed to invest in practical solutions that will enhance food safety, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen their competitiveness,” said Guido Agostinucci, FAO ENPARD IV Programme Manager.

“The European Union is committed to empowering Georgian farmers to meet high-quality standards and protect consumers through access to modern machinery and advanced post-harvest practices. Given that 70 per cent of Georgia’s hazelnut exports are destined for the EU, these investments are essential to safeguarding Georgia’s market share and consolidating its reputation across Europe,” said Denis Reiss, Sustainable Food Systems Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Georgia.

In 2025, twenty-two hazelnut producers across Georgia received co-financing grants, enabling them to invest in modern equipment and improve their post-harvest practices. The EU- and Sweden-backed investments have helped farmers reduce post-harvest losses, improve marketability, and increase their incomes. The renewed call for grant applications seeks to build on these results and extend targeted support to farmers who are most in need of assistance.