Following the government’s decision to increase the price of grapes, farmers in Kvareli ended their protest and began delivering their harvest to the winery
Following the increase in grape prices, grape growers began delivering their harvest to the Kvareli winery.
As Platon Kalmakhelidze, the State Representative in Kakheti, said, the government has made an interim decision that takes into account both the interests of the people and the need to maintain wine quality.
“Very good terms have been offered to the population. I think the people have welcomed them with satisfaction. You can see that the winery has opened and the delivery process is underway. The government has never been distant from the people, and it is not today either. This decision was made with the aim of putting people first and easing their living conditions,” Kalmakhelidze said.
Grape growers also commented on the government’s decision. While some consider the price changes acceptable, others are satisfied with the decision.
“Until now, it was not acceptable, but now it is. I brought my grapes; the sugar content was above 21. I delivered them for 1.50 lari. I agree with today’s decision. As far as I know, everyone agrees with this decision and is satisfied,” said grape grower Dato Datunashvili.
“The prices we have heard about are acceptable to some people and unacceptable to others, as far as I have observed,” another grape grower said.
For the record, following the grape growers’ protest, the government decided to lower the minimum grape quality requirement from 17% to 16%, while increasing the price by 30 tetri to 50 tetri. Specifically, for high-quality grapes, Saperavi with a sugar content above 20 degrees will cost 1.50 lari, while Rkatsiteli and other grape varieties with a sugar content above 19 degrees will cost 1.30 lari. For lower-quality grapes, Saperavi with a sugar content of 16 to 20 degrees will cost 1 lari, while Rkatsiteli and other grape varieties with a sugar content of 16 to 19 degrees will cost 90 tetri.
Grape growers in Kvareli and Gurjaani held protests outside wineries for two days, objecting to the price of grapes. The protesters refused to deliver their harvested grapes.
