Adjara, Georgia: The orange harvest in Adjara Autonomous Republic is in full swing, with a record-breaking production and export of the citrus fruit.
The Chairman of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rizhvadze, the Minister of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia, Otar Shamugia, and the Minister of Agriculture of Adjara, Zaza Shavadze, visited the citrus processing plant on December 20, 2023, to witness the success of the citrus season.
According to the forecast data, 55 thousand tons of citrus are expected this year, a significant increase from the previous years. More than 20 citrus processing plants receive exporting mandarins per season, which are mainly destined for the neighbouring countries of Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
Up to 27,000 tonnes of standard mandarins have already been exported, and 4,600 tonnes of non-standard mandarins have been received and processed.
The Non-standard mandarins do not meet the size, shape, or colour requirements for the fresh market but can be used for industrial purposes such as juice and jam production.
The Adjara government has decided to double the subsidy for non-standard mandarin for industrial processing, from 15 to 30 tetri per kilogram, to support the farmers and encourage them to utilize all the harvested fruit.
Tornike Rizhvadze said, “Citrus season is in full swing. Receiving and grading points are active, as well as processing plants. A record amount has already been exported.”
“Approximately 27 thousand tons, and with all our combined efforts, we should ensure that not a single kilogram of harvested mandarins will be left unfulfilled. This year, we decided to increase and practically double the subsidy on non-standard Mandarin. Therefore, each farmer can take advantage of this increased subsidy,” he added.
To organize the orange harvest, the Adjara Ministry of Agriculture has established a Coordination Headquarters for Citrus Realization in the region, supporting the Georgian Ministry of Environment and Agriculture.
The primary purpose of the headquarters is to ensure the smooth running of the Mandarin transfer process from the orchards to the processing plants and the export markets. The headquarters also provides technical assistance, quality control, and market information to the farmers and the processors.
The orange harvest in Adjara is a significant source of income and employment for the region and a symbol of its agricultural potential and excellence.
The region is known for its favourable climate and soil conditions for growing high-quality citrus fruits, especially the mandarin variety. The area has cultivated citrus fruits since the 19th century and is known for its delicious and nutritious products.
