According to Tornike Latatia, director of the Association of Almond and Walnut Growers of Georgia, this year's frosts have caused significant damage to almond orchards in Shida Kartli.
Farmers are expecting a harvest of about 3,500-4,500 tons that is 25% more than last year.
In Latatia’s words, the cost of almond kernels will be 18-20 GEL, a the estimated price of unshelled almonds- about 4 GEL.
“This year, frosts were mainly in the Shida Kartli region and caused severe damage to almond orchards. On average, the harvest will drop by 30-40%, although we will probably know the exact amount in one month. We are expecting a harvest of about 3,500-4,500 tons that is about 25% more than last year’s harvest.
"90% of the almond harvest in Georgia is sold on the local market, we have completely replaced imports with local products. We assume that this year there will be a better price for almonds: the price of almond kernels will be 18-20 GEL, and the price paid to the farmer for unshelled almonds will be within 4 GEL," Tornike Latatia notes.
