"Georgia could become the third largest hazelnut producer in the world," Merab Chitanava, Chairman of the Board of the Hazelnut Growers Association of Georgia, said on the air of "Commersant" radio.
According to Merab Chitanava, 80% of Georgia's hazelnut harvest goes to the European market, where the country's main competitors are Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Both countries are subsidizing hazelnut production, so it's only natural they're more competitive than Georgia. This means we really need to think about how we can effectively develop this area.
"In Georgia, hazelnut plantations currently cover approximately 70,000 hectares. If we could achieve at least commercial-level production, yielding 1.5 tons of hazelnuts per hectare, we would not only be competitive but could also become the third-largest hazelnut producer globally. Our country possesses immense development potential. The primary obstacle is the highly fragmented nature of our sector: 60% of it comprises smallholdings of half a hectare to one hectare, typically planted on village household plots. This makes management, optimization, and achieving a commercial appearance exceptionally challenging. On a positive note, this year's hazelnut prices have been phenomenal, leading to substantial profits for all who diligently managed their plantations. I hope this success will motivate those who have been less diligent. 'It is crucial for farmers to acquire relevant knowledge and undergo training, and we must be very proactive in this regard,'states Merab Chitanava concludes.
