Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia together with Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, visited the Grape Harvest Coordination Unit.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture David Songhulashvili briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of the harvest, noting that the process is proceeding in an organized manner and grape collection is running smoothly.

So far, 110 000 tons of grapes have been processed in the Kakheti, including a record-high daily amount of nearly 14 000 tons during the past 24 hours.

Around 9000 winegrowers have delivered grapes to wineries. Of the processed harvest, about 50 000 tons are Saperavi, nearly 52 000 tons are Rkatsitelii, with the rest comprising various other grape varieties.

By decision of the Government, this year surplus grapes are being purchased by the state enterprise Harvest Management Company Ltd. at differentiated prices based on quality. No subsidies will be provided to private wine companies.

The Prime Minister of Georgia was accompanied at the Coordination Unit by representatives of the executive, legislative and local authorities of the country.