Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr David Songulashvili, visited the village of Maghlaki in Tskaltubo Municipality, where he observed the blueberry harvesting and post-harvest handling processes at the plantation established with state support.

“Georgia started intensive blueberry production a few years ago. Today, thanks to state support and the private sector's commitment, Georgian blueberries are competitive in the domestic market and increasingly sought after internationally, with exports continuing to expand. We support producers throughout every stage of the value chain, including market diversification efforts, which involve facilitating participation in international exhibitions and promoting increased demand for Georgian blueberries abroad”, - said David Songulashvili.

According to the State Representative of the Imereti Region, Levan Zalkaliani, more than GEL 12 million has been invested in blueberry cultivation across the region through state support mechanisms. The produce is marketed domestically and exported internationally.

The increase in blueberry production is creating new jobs, boosting local incomes, supporting infrastructure improvements, and mitigating migration pressures, thereby advancing economic development and strengthening regional development.

Notably, Bluefield LLC has been a beneficiary of the Rural Development Agency since 2021. Through the state programme “Plant the Future”, the company has established a 20-hectare blueberry plantation. Its harvest is sold on the domestic market and exported abroad. In addition to fresh produce, the company manufactures blueberry liqueur and dried blueberry products using its own raw materials.

The company employs 11 people on a permanent basis, while the number of seasonal workers reaches 200 during the harvesting period. Under the “Plant the Future” programme, blueberry cultivation has been financed across more than 3,300 hectares nationwide, with state support exceeding GEL 57 million. Of this, more than GEL 12 million has been allocated to blueberry plantations covering over 700 hectares in the Imereti Region.

The Deputies of the Minister, Lasha Avaliani and Giorgi Tskrialashvili, the Director of the Rural Development Agency, Zurab Gozalishvili, the Head of the National Food Agency, Giorgi Iakobashvili, and representatives of the local authorities accompanied the Minister.