Geo-Nuts Director Jeneri Belkania says hazelnut farmers should invest more effort in maintaining their orchards, as prices for quality hazelnuts are expected to remain high this year.
Speaking to BMGTV, Belkania said a well-managed family farm can produce around 3 tons of hazelnuts per hectare. At a minimum price of GEL 10 per kilogram, this would generate about GEL 30,000 in annual revenue. Even if production costs reach GEL 8,000 per hectare, farmers can still earn between GEL 22,000 and GEL 25,000 in profit, he noted.
Belkania identified stink bug infestations and the bacterial disease Pseudomonas (“hazelnut cancer”) as the sector’s main challenges. He stressed that effective pest control requires a systematic approach, saying Geo-Nuts sprayed orchards against stink bugs 12 times last year. According to him, spraying one hectare costs about GEL 50 when farmers already have the necessary equipment.
On Pseudomonas, Belkania emphasized prevention through regular monitoring and the use of copper-based treatments in autumn and early spring. He added that the biggest challenge facing the sector is not a lack of financial support but a lack of knowledge among farmers, arguing that education and proper orchard management are more important than direct subsidies.
