Minister Songulashvili Meets Hazelnut Farmers in Samegrelo, Highlights Sector Growth and State Support

David Songulashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, together with Giorgi Darchia, Director of the Rural Development Agency, met with hazelnut farmers in the village of Rike, Zugdidi Municipality.

The meeting took place at the hazelnut plantation of Giorgi Zakaraia, a beneficiary of the Agency’s programs who has developed his orchard and acquired agricultural machinery through the preferential agrocredit program.

“Over the past few years, the state has implemented a wide range of support programs for nut farmers. As a result, hazelnuts have become a high-impact crop for Georgia’s agricultural economy. Our country is now among the top seven hazelnut-exporting nations globally,” said Minister Songulashvili.
“A high-quality, abundant harvest is key to ensuring stable incomes for our farmers. The state supports them on multiple fronts.”

Songulashvili outlined the various state initiatives, including:

• 2.9 million GEL in co-financing under the “Plant the Future” orchard program for the cultivation of hazelnuts on 1,100 hectares

• The development of a drying and storage infrastructure

• 25 hazelnut processing and storage enterprises co-financed under state programs

• Ongoing pest control efforts

The Minister also highlighted that preferential agrocredit for hazelnut production has exceeded 41.8 million GEL. A hazelnut production support program is currently active, benefiting over 90,000 farmers across Georgia. Through this program, farmers receive financial assistance for agrochemicals and pesticides, with approximately 17.7 million GEL already disbursed in 2025. The points-based assistance system is ongoing and will continue to credit eligible participants.

In 2024, Georgia's hazelnut production increased by 18%, reaching 43.6 thousand tons. Correspondingly, export volume and value also rose. From August 1, 2024, to July 13, 2025, Georgia exported $118.9 million USD worth of hazelnuts, marking a 44% increase compared to the same period last year. This export growth is directly attributed to improvements in hazelnut quality, supported by state-led initiatives.

The Minister was accompanied by MP Irakli Zarkua, Deputy Minister Kakha Kakabadze, Head of the National Food Agency Zurab Chekurashvili, Director of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center Levan Ujmajuridze, and local self-government representatives.