BFC Georgian Agriculture Finance Bulletin. Edition #95, July 2020
13) USDA, Land O’Lakes International launch livestock investment project July 21st, 2020, https://agroface.ge/news/0ebb9f0c-dde9-48ec-8224-000e8cf88d0f
The five-year Invest in Safe and Quality Livestock (SQIL) project has been launched in Georgia to increase local beef and dairy productivity as well as boost producer competitiveness and market access. Specifically, the project aims to: (1) increase access to appropriate technologies, (2) improve productivity and (3) instill practices that boost food safety. To accomplish this, the project will provide co-financing support to private local enterprises as well as offer business development opportunities. Eligible beneficiaries are profit-oriented enterprises registered in Georgia that are currently engaged in producing beef and dairy products. Startups are not eligible to participate. Co-financing will be provided up to 50% of the total cost of investment and must be between USD 5,000 and USD 25,000 (in national currency equivalent). The project is being funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and Land O’Lakes International Development Georgia.
Private Sector 14) 150,000-ton wheat harvest and 80,000-ton barley harvest predicted this year July 3rd, 2020, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/2109
The harvesting of wheat and barley in the Kakheti region has entered an active phase, with this year’s forecasts predicting that 150,000 tons of wheat and 80,000 tons of barley will be harvested. This is less than last year, mostly due to struggles associated with climatic conditions. At the same time, demand for both wheat and barley have been increasing, leading to the higher prices for both products than in previous years. Harvesting began in mid-June in the Kakheti region. Wheat-cultivating areas make up approximately 71,000 hectares in the region, and barley-cultivating areas make up approximately 22,000 hectares. Reports so far indicate that the harvest and storage of grain crops is proceeding smoothly.
15) Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages up 13.6% year-on-year July 3rd, 2020, https://bm.ge/en/article/fruit-price-increased-by-46-meat--by-132-dairy-products--by-172-in-june-/59695/
According to Geostat, the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages have increased 13.6% in the last year. This includes the prices of fruits and grapes (up 46.5%); milk, cheese and eggs (up 17.2%); fish (up 15.8%); coffee, tea and cocoa (up 14.8%); oils and fats (up 13.5%); meat (up 13.1%); sugar, jam, honey, chocolates and confectioneries (up 12.6%); bread and cereals (up 10.0%); and mineral waters, soft drinks and fruit and vegetable juices (up 9.3%). The overall annual inflation rate was 6.1%.
16) Bank of Georgia supports Kakhetian traditional winemaking project July 3rd, 2020, https://netgazeti.ge/news/465332/
In partnership with Bank of Georgia, Kakhetian traditional winemakers have planted vineyards in Gori, Kakheti and Racha as part of a new project started last year. The aim of the project is to prepare approximately 880 hectares of vineyards for cultivation by spring 2021 and approximately 1,000 hectares of vineyards by the end of 2022. This will significantly increase production and give more opportunities for the development of traditional winemaking in the area. Page 5
