News
David Songulashvili Meets with Hazelnut Farmers in the Samegrelo region.
Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, together with the Director of the Rural Development Agency, Mr. Giorgi Darchiashvili, met with hazelnut farmers in the village of Rike, Zugdidi Municipality.
The meeting took place at the hazelnut plantation of local farmer Giorgi Zakaraia, a beneficiary of the Rural Development Agency. Giorgi Zakaria has taken advantage of the preferential agro-credit program to establish his hazelnut orchard and purchase agricultural machinery.
“For the past several years, the state has been implementing a range of programs to support hazelnut farmers. As a result, hazelnuts have become one of the most economically significant crops in Georgia. Our country now ranks among the world’s top seven hazelnut exporters.
High-quality and abundant harvests are key to ensuring that our farmers enjoy good incomes. The government is supporting them across virtually every area—from co-financing the cultivation of hazelnuts on 1,100 hectares with GEL 2.9 million under the ‘Plant the Future’ program’s orchard component to developing and maintaining well-functioning drying and storage infrastructure across the country.
Additionally, 25 hazelnut processing and storage enterprises have been co-financed through state programs, and large-scale measures are ongoing to combat the brown marmorated stink bug,” said Mr. David Songulashvili.
It is worth mentioning that the preferential agro-credit issued to support the development of primary hazelnut production has exceeded GEL 41.8 million. In addition, a hazelnut production support program is being implemented nationwide.
The program currently benefits more than 90,000 farmers across the country, providing them with financial assistance to purchase the agrochemicals and pesticides necessary for hazelnut cultivation and maintenance.
This year alone, farmers have already received approximately GEL 17.7 million in targeted support. The allocation of subsidy points is ongoing and will continue to be gradually distributed to all eligible participants who meet the program’s criteria.
In 2024, hazelnut production in Georgia increased by 18% compared to the previous year, reaching 43.6 thousand tonnes. As a result of the higher yield, export volumes also rose. During the marketing year—from August 1, 2024, to July 13, 2025—Georgia exported hazelnuts worth USD 118.9 million, marking a 44% increase compared to the same period last year.
The growth in hazelnut exports was driven by improvements in the quality of the harvest—an achievement that directly reflects the effectiveness of state support programs.
The Member of Parliament, Mr. Irakli Zarkua; the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze; the Head of the National Food Agency, Mr. Zurab Chekurashvili; the Director of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, Mr. Levan Ujmajuridze, and representatives of the local self-government, accompanied the Minister.