As of today, 13 fruit processing enterprises participating in Georgia’s state program have accepted up to 4,000 tons of substandard apples, providing farmers with over 1 million GEL in income.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture launched the program, titled “Supporting the Sale of Substandard Apples”, on September 9, 2025, to assist farmers in managing the apple harvest.
How the Program Works under the initiative:
Fruit processing companies purchasing 1 kg of substandard apples for at least 27 tetri by December 15, 2025, are eligible for state subsidies.
The Rural Development Agency provides an additional 10 tetri per kg to processing enterprises.
Substandard apples are being collected by processing enterprises in the following regions:
- Shida Kartli
- Kvemo Kartli
- Kakheti
- Samtskhe-Javakheti
- Mtskheta-Mtianeti
- Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti
To ensure efficient and organized collection, the Ministry has established a coordination headquarters to oversee the program’s operations.
This initiative not only provides financial support to farmers but also helps minimize waste and integrate substandard produce into the supply chain, benefiting both producers and the broader agricultural sector.
