Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, announced a record $26 million in blueberry exports this year. The announcement came during a meeting with the Blueberry Producers Association and European exporters, where the minister detailed the contributions of the "Implant the Future" program.
"We have supported the planting of approximately 2700 hectares of blueberry orchards through the 'Implant the Future' program, and we anticipate increasing yields annually from these areas," Shamugia stated.
The meeting focused on various topics including blueberry cultivation, the progress of the current season, export significance, and the potential for increased production. Shamugia highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting the sector through the "Implementation of the Future" program.
"Looking ahead, we expect annual harvests to reach between 20,000 to 25,000 tons. It is crucial to diversify the markets for these products. This year alone, we successfully exported 500 tons of Georgian blueberries to the EU market. Our goal is to enhance these results and provide extensive support to the sector moving forward," added Shamugia.
Ahmed Aktash, an exporter and founder of "Wonderland Farmers," shared positive insights from the season: "I can confidently say that the blueberry lodging season has been successful. Logistics were well-organized, and we faced virtually no challenges. The introduction of Georgian blueberries into the EU market has received highly positive feedback. Georgian farmers have demonstrated exceptional diligence and it's clear that Georgian blueberries have significant production potential."
The discussions also touched on the importance of state support for processing blueberries into products like juice and improving packaging solutions.
Deputy Minister Tengiz Nasaridze and representatives from relevant services also attended the meeting held at the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture.
