Chairman of the National Wine Agency, Levan Mekhuzla, spoke about the preparations for the 2026 harvest, state support mechanisms, and the importance of encouraging quality grape production. According to him, the differentiated prices established by the state give farmers an additional incentive to focus on a quality harvest.

By decision of the Government of Georgia, in case of a surplus harvest, the state enterprise LLC "Harvest Management Company" will purchase grapes from the population at differentiated prices. In the case of permitted grape varieties in accordance with the Law of Georgia "On Vine and Wine", if the sugar content exceeds 20%, the purchase price for one kilogram is 1.30 GEL, in case of 17% to 20% sugar content, 0.80 GEL, and in case of less than 17% sugar content, 0.30 GEL. In the case of the Saperavi grape variety, if the sugar content exceeds 22%, the price for one kilogram is 1.50 GEL, in case of 17% to 22% sugar content, 0.90 GEL, and in case of less than 17% sugar content, 0.30 GEL.

"Price differentiation is an additional motivation for the farmer to produce quality grapes and to better appreciate the one who cares about quality and not just quantity. Last year, there were cases when they brought critically low grapes with less than 17% sugar content for delivery. In Georgia, if a vineyard is cultivated in the appropriate viticulture zone and is properly cared for, achieving 17% sugar content should not present a problem. If this indicator cannot be achieved, the reason, as a rule, is a violation of agrotechnical requirements - excessive watering, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, or cultivating a vineyard in an area that is not recommended for viticulture, for example, in a floodplain or a high-mountain zone", - said Levan Mekhuzla.