Farmers Earn 6.5 Million GEL from Non-Standard Apple Harvest Sales

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, between 9 September and 5 November of this year, 15 fruit-processing enterprises participating in the state program purchased up to 22,500 tons of non-standard apples. As a result, farmers received up to 6.5 million GEL in income, while state subsidies amounted to approximately 2.5 million GEL.

Under the program supporting the sale of non-standard apple harvest, fruit-processing companies receive a state subsidy when purchasing non-standard apples. To qualify, companies must purchase 1 kg of non-standard apples for no less than 27 tetri from individuals employed in the horticulture sector by 15 December 2025. The Rural Development Agency will provide a subsidy of 10 tetri per kilogram of non-standard apples.

Within the framework of the state program, non-standard apples are being purchased by fruit-processing factories in the regions of Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.

To ensure the organized collection of non-standard apples, a coordination headquarters is operating by decision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.