According to the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, as of September 23, a total of 205,000 tons of grapes have been processed in Kakheti. This includes approximately 81,000 tons of Rkatsiteli and around 97,500 tons of Saperavi.

The Ministry reports that over 15,000 winegrower farmers have already settled their crops, resulting in a cumulative income of GEL 287 million from grape sales.

Up to 80 companies and wineries are processing crops daily.

To accommodate the substantial harvest of Saperavi grapes and maintain their quality, the Government of Georgia has authorized Harvest Management Company Ltd. to collect Saperavi grapes from farmers at a rate of GEL 1.50 per kilogram starting September 13. The government will also compensate growers who received less than GEL 1.50 per kilogram of Saperavi grapes before this date, ensuring they are paid the full amount.

Additionally, any company that pays at least GEL 1.00 per kilogram for Rkatsiteli grapes will be eligible for a state subsidy to support the sale of the grape harvest and foster the stable development of the wine industry.

The Harvest Management Company is collecting grapes from growers at approximately 15 locations across various municipalities in the Kakheti region. The daily processing rate exceeds 10,000 tons, indicating that the harvest is in a highly active phase, according to the Ministry’s information.

The forecast for the 2024 grape harvest is projected to be a record 300,000 tons.