Georgian authorities adjusted grape purchasing prices following two days of protests by grape growers in the country’s eastern wine-making region of Kakheti, where locals demanded higher prices for their harvest, including by blocking roads and paralyzing local traffic.
The protests, which ended following the government’s September 22 decision to revise the prices, come amid what officials have described as an “unprecedented” harvest in the history of the country’s independence, but also climate-related challenges reportedly affecting the sugar content of grapes.
The demonstrations began in Shilda, a village in Kvareli Municipality, before spreading to Akhalsopeli and Velistsikhe villages. Some growers refused to deliver their harvested grapes, with grape-laden vehicles remaining lined up near purchasing facilities, and resumed deliveries only after authorities adjusted the prices.
Much of the discontent focused on the more recent pricing scheme that differentiates between grapes by sugar content and grape condition.
Under the pricing scheme announced in August for this year’s harvest, in the event of a surplus harvest, the state-run Harvest Management Company would purchase grapes at a pre-defined differentiated scheme, first introduced during last year’s harvest and meant to promote the production of “competitive and high-value products.”
For most grape varieties, grapes with sugar content below 17% would be purchased by the state for GEL 0.3 (USD 0.12) per kilogram, while those with sugar content between 17% and 20% receive GEL 0.8 (USD 0.31). Undamaged grapes exceeding 20% sugar content were priced at GEL 1.3 (USD 0.5) per kilogram.
Different thresholds applied to Saperavi grapes, with the state paying GEL 1.5 (USD 0.58) per kilogram for undamaged grapes with a sugar content of at least 21%, GEL 0.9 (USD 0.35) for grapes with a sugar content of 17% to 21% and/or those that are partially damaged, and GEL 0.3 (USD 0.12) for grapes with a sugar content below 17% and/or those that are damaged.
The winegrowers said the prices offered for their harvest were insufficient to cover production expenses, including vineyard maintenance, agricultural chemicals, labor, and transportation.
“Kakheti needs attention. We are asking for an appropriate price,” one protester told the media.
‘Unprecedented Harvest’
The protests came amid what officials have described as an “unprecedented harvest” in Georgia but also challenges caused by “climate conditions” for grape sugar content.
“This year will be an unprecedented harvest in terms of quantity,” Davit Songhulashvili, Georgian Dream minister of agriculture, was quoted by the ministry on September 21. Songhulashvili predicted the harvest to exceed 320 tons, “which, perhaps, will be the first case of such a big harvest in the history of independent Georgia.”
The minister, however, warned that this year’s “climate conditions created certain challenges,” including some grapes struggling to develop proper sugar levels, which he said may delay the harvest.
The growers have also disputed measurements of the sugar content of their grapes at the purchasing facilities. Some protesters say measurements taken before delivery have differed from those recorded at the facilities, resulting in their grapes being downpriced. They have particularly objected to the GEL 0.3 state purchasing price applicable to the lowest category of grapes, saying they are unwilling to sell their harvest at that rate.
Protest Ends After Government Revises Prices
The growers ended their protest and resumed deliveries after Levan Mekhuzla, chair of the National Wine Agency, announced the changes on September 22, saying the decision was made following consultations with the government and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
Under the revised terms, Saperavi grapes with a sugar content of at least 20% will be purchased for GEL 1.5 per kilogram, while Rkatsiteli and other grape varieties with a sugar content of at least 19% will be purchased for GEL 1.3.
For grapes in the lower quality category, the state will pay GEL 1 per kilogram for Saperavi with sugar content between 16% and 20%, and GEL 0.9 for Rkatsiteli and other varieties with sugar content between 16% and 19%.
Grapes with sugar content below 16% will be purchased for GEL 0.5 per kilogram, while hybrid varieties will be purchased for GEL 0.3.
Mekhuzla said grapes below the 16% threshold are considered unsuitable for wine or spirit production, but the government decided to make an exception to allow growers to recover some of their expenses. He also said growers who had already sold their grapes under the previous state prices would have their payments recalculated under the new terms and would receive compensation for the difference.
Also Read:
