Georgia’s hazelnut sector has warned Agriculture Minister Davit Songulashvili about severe challenges, including sudden orchard die-off, the early spread of the brown marmorated stink bug, limited machinery access, and a lack of farmer training. Around 7,000 hectares of orchards have already dried out, while heavy rainfall has triggered an unusually early and intense pest outbreak.
Producers say the situation is especially difficult for small farmers, who cannot afford necessary equipment or pest-control measures. Continuous rain has made spraying difficult, causing stink bug populations to grow faster than last year. This, they note, has already damaged both the quantity and quality of the crop.
During the meeting, sector representatives asked Minister Songulashvili for support with education programs, small agricultural machinery, and financial aid or subsidies. According to Geo-Nuts director Jenere Belkania, the Minister pledged to review these proposals at a government meeting.
The sector expects around 45,000 tons of hazelnuts this year, though both quality and volume may decline. With global production projected to reach a record 1.6 million tons, competition is likely to intensify and prices to drop. Current export prices range from €8 to €10.
