The Georgian government has ended its 10-year program subsidizing the purchase of non-standard apples by apple concentrate producers. The Agriculture Ministry confirmed that the state will no longer subsidize such purchases in 2026, while concentrate producers are prepared to continue accepting the crop. The final purchase price will be determined based on market conditions.
The ministry said the subsidy no longer aligns with the sector’s long-term development goals and could indirectly encourage continued production of lower-quality apples. Around 2,600 hectares of intensive apple orchards have been established under the “Plant the Future” program, while traditional orchards are gradually being replaced. The government says its focus is now on improving productivity and quality rather than subsidizing non-standard produce.
The ministry expects this year’s non-standard apple crop and purchase price to be lower than in previous years, but believes most of the crop can still be processed without state support. It also points to the new Agro Co-Financing Program, launched on July 1, which provides up to 50% co-financing for the cost of establishing modern orchards and supports the processing of agricultural products, including apples.
The ministry forecasts Georgia’s total apple harvest at around 55,000 tons in 2026, down 10–15% from last year. The non-standard apple support program operated from 2014 to 2025, during which processors purchased 309.9 million kg of non-standard apples worth GEL 74.1 million. A total of 24 processing companies received GEL 28 million in state subsidies.
