BFC. Georgian Agriculture Finance Bulletin. Edition #3, January 2013
15) ENPARD grants to support food production amid COVID-19 pandemic April 28th, 2020, https://cbw.ge/economy/georgia-receives-grant-from-eu
The Ministry of Agriculture, the European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are awarding grants to support food production and security during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants, which are being awarded under the EU’s European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Regional Development (ENPARD), will focus on the vegetable, cereal, potato, beef, dairy, honey and wine value chains. The grants will allow farmers, cooperatives and small- and medium-sized enterprises to invest in equipment such as tractors, harvesters and greenhouses.
Private Sector 16) Increase in vegetable prices forecasted April 2nd, 2020, http://bizzone.info/agriculture/2020/1585880964.php
With the early vegetable season about to begin, many vegetable producers are concerned that COVID19 measures could impact production this year and lead to higher prices for vegetables. While companies engaged in vegetable production have indicated that, so far, the measures taken to combat the spread of COVID-19 have not yet negatively impacted work, they could in the near future as more workers will be needed. Specifically, companies have expressed concerns that there will be a shortage of workers. Although many do not think this alone would cause prices to rise, vegetable producers are also facing unfavorable weather conditions, specifically an unusually dry winter that prevented the land from being properly cultivated, and a rise in the costs of production.
17) COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity for Georgia’s food industry April 5th, 2020, https://cbw.ge/economy/levan-divitashvili-it-a-chance-for-food-sector-to-increase-production-and-employment
The Minister of Agriculture has stated that the food industry has the potential to become one of the most important employers in the country as its functioning is essential during the current pandemic state. Moreover, he noted that increased production opportunities (including for new products) have arisen due to restrictions on trade imposed by other countries. This presents Georgia’s food industry with the opportunity to increase production in the short term and then find new outlets for this increased production once the pandemic situation is over. The end result of this would be a more robust food industry that produces more and provides more employment opportunities.
18) No food shortage expected in Georgia April 13th, 2020, https://mepa.gov.ge/En/News/Details/17911
The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) has taken the decision to ban the export of a number of food products through June 30, 2020; however, the government of Georgia does not believe that this will cause a shortage of food products in Georgia as the government has been proactive in monitoring food supplies (especially for essential foods) and diversifying markets to keep Georgia supplied.
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