“Svanidze Olives”, a new modern olive processing plant, has officially opened in Taribana Valley, Kakheti region, - according to the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. The factory, in line with EU standards, equipped with modern Italian and German technologies, can process up to 150 tons of olives per day.
An opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Environment and Agriculture David Songhulashvili, along with Giorgi Aladashvili, State Representative in Kakheti, and Gia Benashvili, Member of Parliament for Gurjaani, Sagarejo, Dedoplistskaro, and Sighnaghi.
“Olive cultivation is becoming increasingly popular. With the growing area of orchards, we expect an increasing harvest every year. It is important that this product is processed on-site, which creates additional value and jobs. The new enterprise will further contribute to this process and create prosperity for more people. The capabilities of the new enterprise will not only grow local production, but also expand exports. More Georgian quality products will gain their place on international markets, which will be reflected in the country's economic indicators,” noted David Songhulashvili.
“Svanidze Olives” will employ up to 150 people seasonally, most of them from local communities.
“Our goal is to make Georgia one of the leading olive manufacturers on the world map. The enterprise will serve not only Svanidze’s orchards, but also support farmers nationwide. I would like to emphasize that the state support and the programs implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture are very important,” said the company’s founder, Giorgi Svanidze.
According to the ministry, olive groves were planted on an area of 3,208 hectares across the country within the frame of the state-backed initiative “Plant the Future”. The co-financing volume made up more than GEL 22 million. In addition, to promote the cultivation of olive groves, within the framework of the project "Preferential Agrocredit", banks have issued 27 loans worth more than GEL 9 million, where co-financing of the Rural Development Agency amounts to more than GEL 3 million.
