Farmers are resuming work in the liberated regions of Ukraine, in particular in the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy regions. Of course, this is not easy to do – some of the fields are mined, some bridges and roads are destroyed. However, Ukrainian growers of potatoes, vegetables and grains do not stop. “Roads are destroyed, logistics are broken, there is a shortage of fuel and fertilizers… but we are Ukrainians, we are stubborn and purposeful,” says Mykola Gordiychuk, director of Agrico Ukraine, which supplies Ukrainian farmers with high-quality seed potatoes.

In a commentary for SEEDS, Mykola Gordiychuk spoke about how Ukrainian suppliers and producers of potatoes work during a war.

– The situation in the entire agricultural sector, which is strategically important for Ukraine, is still quite complicated. What are the most pressing issues for potato growers?

– The first problem is logistics, delivery of fertilizers, fuel. We cannot buy fertilizers and bring them to our farms in the Chernihiv region, because the bridges have been destroyed. There is only one bridge that can be crossed by a small car. The state is trying to help the agricultural sector, but today small farmers are mostly forced to solve problems on their own.

– What is happening to the demand for seed potatoes? Which varieties are in the highest demand?

– There is a demand for seed potatoes now. First of all, buyers are interested in early varieties, as they understand that the situation in the southern regions of Ukraine is difficult and most farms will not plant potatoes there, or they will not be able to sell them to other regions in time. Therefore, early varieties, such as “Riviera”, “Arizona”, are in great demand today.

But, again, there are logistical problems – for example, when it comes to the supply of seeds from the Kyiv region to the western regions of Ukraine. The cost of logistics services has tripled. Before the war we paid 15 000 UAH for a car, but now we pay 40 000-45 000 UAH for transporting the same 20 tonnes from Kyiv to Ternopil region.

– What are the current trends in the potato market?

– There are enough potatoes in Ukraine today. There is no shortage. The average price for potatoes in stores is quite normal – about 10-12 UAH per kilogram.

– Clearly, it is difficult to make any forecasts during the war, but still, what could this season be like for potato producers?

– Today it is difficult to forecast something. We still cannot say how many farmers will start works in the field. In the temporarily occupied or former occupied territories, many will not be able to carry out field work, since the fields are mined. They need to be cleared and farmers may not be able to start work on time. Now it’s hard to say. It will be possible to make forecasts for potatoes in late April – early May, when we know what areas have been planted.

Video: Preparing seed potatoes

– The majority of Ukrainian farmers helps the population and the defenders of Ukraine in this difficult time. Your company also provided aid. Tell about it.

– We helped several organizations that prepared food for the territorial defense of Kyiv and other settlements. This was especially true when the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions were occupied. Volunteers came to our warehouses in small cars, shipped 2 to 3 tonnes of potatoes every day. We also collaborated with retail chains. They took part of the potatoes for sale, and part for the supply of low-income citizens, who found themselves in difficult circumstances.

We tried to help in every way we could. I think that this is the task of every Ukrainian – to do everything possible to help the army and the country.

– What advice would you give to Ukrainian farmers?

– In this difficult time, first of all, you need to take care of people, your employees, because today there is a big problem of finding personnel, both in the occupied and liberated territories, and in the relatively safe western regions.

I also urge you to plant as many as possible – as many potatoes as you can, because after the victory we will need to feed the country.

Our task is to support the economic front and ensure the food security of Ukraine, so that our defenders and all citizens have what to eat after the victory. I believe that every effort should be made not to disrupt the sowing season, but to sow grain, plant potatoes and do other work on time, if possible.

I realize that the situation is really difficult for farmers today. Ports are blocked, many farmers cannot sell the grain they have left for export. Therefore, they do not have working capital and they have to allocate funds for seeds and other resources extremely rationally. But we must make every effort to do the spring field work and provide the country with food.

Сообщение “We are stubborn and purposeful”: potato growers resume work in the liberated regions of Ukraine появились сначала на EastFruit.

Digitalization and mechanization become a part of Georgian agriculture as an increasing number of producers invest in precision farming technologies. Mkisa is a Georgian company contributing by building an agricultural business where almost every decision is based on data analysis taken from digital tools directly on the field. In the next few years, Mkisa plans to develop the whole value chain production and become a consultancy service provider for others.

The company started its operations in 2020 and has already planted 10 ha of almonds and 24 ha of maize, while 30 more hectares of almonds and 20 ha of blueberry orchards are planned to plant in the first quarter of 2022. First harvests are expected in 2023. In total, the company owns 200+ ha of land in east and west Georgia and has plans to increase it in forthcoming years. The eastern sites are intended for almonds production, while western sites are for the blueberries.

The decision to plant almonds and blueberries was based on market research, which revealed that almonds and blueberries were the optimal choices in terms of the Return on Investment (ROI) indicator and the time needed to receive the first harvests, compared to other considered alternatives. They also took into account government programs’ and the banks’ potential support while choosing the crops.

EastFruit discussed the company’s experience in digital agriculture and the future plans with its executive director Gigi Gachechiladze.

What kind of digital tools are you using to manage the orchards or planning to use in the future?

We’ve invested in a weather station, plant and soil sensors, as well as drones so far. In combination, these tools allow us to plan and manage almost all operations in the orchards based on precise and live data.

Weather station: price, components, and applications

We bought a weather station from the local representative of USA-based company DAVIS — CVIG. The bundle – weather station covering 40 ha, and leaf and soil sensors for 10 ha – cost 15 000 GEL ($4,644) in 2021. We are planning to add more sensors to cover a total of 40 ha of almond orchards in 2022.

Station has several transmitting nodes installed in the orchard. Each node is equipped with 3 types of sensors, soil moisture and temperature, and leaf wetness sensors. Nodes and sensors are fully autonomous in terms of electricity and the internet. Station uses solar panels as an energy source and 4G for the internet connection.

Analysis of historical data taken from the sensors is crucial for planning or adjustment of schedules and doses of pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, and fertilizer applications, while live data analysis guarantees timely agronomic measures. Agronomists agree that even hours matter when taking preventive measures against the diseases.

Each sensor gives different kind of information to plan various activities. Soil moisture sensor gives data crucial for irrigation and application management. The soil temperature sensor shows the temperature in the ground to analyze the root development of plants. Leaf sensor gives dates and duration of leaf wetness, helping agronomists to assess the effectiveness of applications and rainfalls.

Weather stations can give much more indicators if needed, but on a daily basis we monitor soil moisture and temperature, rainfalls, evapotranspiration (ET), humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and THSW (temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind) index. Station also forecasts the weather for the next 7 day period. Each data is crucial to analyze the real state of plants.

Agriculture drones

We have our own drone and are in the research and development stage in this direction. Drones can be equipped with a multispectral camera which gives multispectral images for analytics. We think that this technology will be useful for large fields and orchards as it can identify problematic areas of land and give signals to an agronomist to take a closer look at that area.

We also used an agricultural drone to spray 24 ha maize fields against the disease last year. It was the right decision, as plants were already tall and it was impossible to spray them conventionally. I find it helpful to use drones for spraying annual crops, while I’m a little skeptical about their use in the case of tree orchards. I believe conventional methods will be much quicker in orchards compared to drones, taking into account the short battery life and small tanks of drones.

Labor shortage and mechanization

We consider labor shortage during pruning and harvesting seasons as one of the future challenges. To meet this challenge our almond orchard will be fully mechanized since 2023. As for blueberry production, we consider buying mechanical harvesters. We’ve even selected the specific harvester and plan to attend the harvesting to assess it in the working process. This is the air-jet harvester produced in Serbia, which harvests berries by imitating storm and shaking plants with pulsating air jets. According to the producer’s information, the new technology less damages the fruit in the harvesting process and makes it suitable for selling on the fresh market, but we will have a clear view of it only after the tests in the field.

What are the future plans of Mkisa?

Our intention is not only to become a large-scale producer but to develop self-sustainable and green energy orchards, along with the whole value chain from planting to sales.

In 2023 we plan to build a cold storage and processing facility for blueberries in Tskaltubo or Khobi site, as well as receive certifications for both blueberry and almond production — GLOBAL G.A.P. and HACCP accordingly.

Today we work with local and international professionals to manage processes in the orchards. In blueberry orchard development, Mkisa relies on the knowledge of local consultants but receives coaching from Spain and Poland to manage almond orchards. After gaining the necessary expertise, we’ll become service providers ourselves. By that time our team will have valuable experience in digital agriculture as well, as we’ve already invested in digitalization and will continue in the future.

Сообщение Mkisa — Georgian agricultural company with a focus on digital agriculture появились сначала на EastFruit.

Few farmers produce saffron in Georgia. However, many may be interested in it in the future as climate change is affecting major production regions of the world such as Kashmir in India, and the Georgian climate is suitable for growing it. The first Georgian growers serve as an example for others, as many have never heard of saffron production before, given that saffron is not traditional for Georgia.

EastFruit contacted an organic saffron grower from Georgia, Rusudan Kharabadze, to learn more about her experience.

Why did you decide to produce organic saffron and when did you start?

– I had this idea while working in the Balkans as a representative of one of the international organizations. The organization has supported saffron production in the conflict zone to help local residents plant the disputed land. They researched agricultural production and decided to produce saffron as the market was overflowing with traditional crops. I decided to grow saffron in Georgia with the same goal – to produce an unconventional product.

In 2018, I bought organic saffron bulbs (Crocus sativus) from the Netherlands and started saffron production in Sagarejo, Kakheti region. I decided to start organic from the very beginning because there is a lot of conventional saffron on the market, but organic is highly valued and demanded.

The initial investment was around 15 000 EUR, of which more than 7 000 EUR was spent on 50,000 bulbs. This was enough to plant 1 600 square meters of land. I would have planted more in case of financial support from a government program or agricultural lending, but my business idea did not receive support. Saffron is a new product for Georgia, so the people with whom I spoke did not understand what kind of business it was. I only managed to get a standard consumer loan from the bank.

– Why Kakheti and Sagarejo? What is the preferred climate for saffron production?

– Before making a decision, I visited several more regions. Saffron is best planted in eastern Georgia, in regions with a relatively dry climate. It would be more difficult to produce it in regions with high humidity such as Samegrelo or Adjara in western Georgia.

– What are the main aspects of growing organic saffron?

– Soil quality is critical to saffron production. It should be well drained to avoid fungal infections. Also, when we talk about organic production, weed and pest control is challenging. I use organic pest control, but weeds have to be removed by hand. The production of organic saffron, like any other organic product, is labor intensive as all operations in the field are done manually, including harvesting.

In other respects, this culture is quite resistant to extreme temperatures, withstanding up to -25 degrees Celsius. But saffron doesn’t like changeable weather. I can say this from my own experience. In 2020, the weather changed unexpectedly at the end of October, which resulted in the cessation of flowering and a decrease in the harvest this season.

-What is the production dynamics over the years?

– In the first year, I harvested only 0.25 kg of dried saffron from ​​1600 square meters. The yield increased to 1.2 kg the next year, but it dropped to 0.9 kg in 2020 due to weather conditions. Harvesting has been completed for the current season, but the drying process has not finished yet. Our saffron is dried without a dryer, at room temperature without sunlight, but a dryer will be necessary over time.

– What are the specifics of harvesting saffron?

– The harvesting period of saffron is from mid-October to mid-November, and harvesting is done manually. On average, we need three weeks to complete harvest. This process takes weeks because flowers bloom gradually. We trained the workers to pick flowers correctly. The main thing is to avoid contact with the soil, as flowers are not washed after harvest. Minimum sanitary rules are followed when removing the stigma.

– What is the price of organic saffron on the market and where do you sell it?

– I sold only small batches of the total harvest in the local market. Since dried saffron can be stored for 5-6 years without losing quality, I am in no rush to sell. I am waiting for the organic certificate, which will be ready in December.

The price is 50 GEL in the local market, while conventional Iranian saffron costs 35 GEL ($11) per gram. In European markets, the approximate price for organic saffron will be up to 15,000 EUR ($16,927) per kg. I plan to sell the crop next year, mainly in Israel and European countries like France or the Netherlands – the Netherlands produces the bulbs, but not the saffron itself. I have already contacted an Israeli pharmaceutical company that is interested in purchasing organic saffron from Georgia. Most likely, I will continue to supply the pharmaceutical market in the future.

– Are professional knowledge or advice from agronomists needed to grow saffron?

– While working in the Balkans, I was trained by a Spanish specialist and acquired all the necessary knowledge. I only need professional help when choosing organic fertilizers or pest control products. Anyone with no previous experience or knowledge of saffron production will need to learn the specifics of production before planting.

– What are your plans for the future, do you plan to increase production?

– At the end of spring 2022, I plan to dig up and divide the bulbs in order to transplant them into new soil. The new area will be 1 hectare instead of 1600 square meters, as saffron bulbs are propagating in the soil. They should be split and replanted every four years. I hope that the harvest in 2022 will at least double. The harvest will increase every year. From the 2022 season, production will be profitable.

Сообщение There is a lot of saffron on the global market, but organic saffron is the most valued and demanded – Georgian grower появились сначала на EastFruit.

Tatiana Bordiyan and Natalia Mursa have been in the berry business for a long time, starting their business with a sea buckthorn plantation. Tatiana and Natalia thought about growing blueberries six years ago, when the first plantation of this berry appeared in Moldova. In 2014, Tatiana began to communicate with Yuri Tarai, the founder of Lolly Berry, the first Moldovan blueberry producer on an area of ​​10 hectares. When he moved to America, they bought Lolly Berry. Thanks to them, the “blueberry business” in Moldova got a second chance. An additional irrigation system was installed on the plantation and the plantation was expanded to 13 hectares. The company continues to supply high-quality and tasty berries to the domestic market. The plans for the future are quite ambitious. Tatiana claims that the co-owners of Lolly Berry are now working on a project to establish a new plantation.

– Is it easy to open a blueberry growing business in Moldova? What difficulties did you face?

– It is very difficult because the local land, with rare exceptions, is not suitable for growing blueberries, especially in terms of the pH level. The previous owner found more or less suitable land in the area of ​​Strashen. But he had to import a lot of peat from Ukraine and Belarus. Trenches were dug, filled with a mixture of peat, pine chips and sand. Blueberry seedlings imported from Poland were planted in this soil. These are the most troublesome and capital-intensive operations.

– Do you mainly sell fresh or frozen berries? What’s your pricing policy?

– We try to sell blueberries fresh, because they are tastier and healthier. Although berries do not lose their nutritional value even during freezing, it is better to use them frozen for making smoothies or in cereals. The first time we tried to sell frozen blueberries, the demand was higher than the supply. Then we decided to freeze a part of the blueberry harvest every year. For a consumer, there is almost no difference in price compared to fresh berries. We have changed our pricing policy over the past few years and reduced retail prices from 250 ($14.2/kg) to 150 MDL/kg ($8.5/kg). Moldovan blueberries have become more affordable for buyers, which has increased market demand.

– Many farmers argue that labor is a critical issue. How are things going in your case, is blueberry harvesting also done manually?

– We collect blueberries only by hand, because they ripen gradually. But so far we have not had any problems with the labor, since we have a stable team of workers, we try to provide people with employment throughout the year, not only during the harvest season. We also support them financially in the winter so that people stay in the country and not go abroad. Most of the workers are from neighboring villages.

– What problems do you face now? What are the risks of such a business in our country?

– One of the biggest problems is insufficient production experience. We often have to travel to Poland or Ukraine, to consult with our colleagues, berry growers, who have not only plantations, but also the opportunity to use the services of qualified berry agronomists.

– What kind of support has the EBRD provided?

– We received a grant for consulting services for three years, which helped us a lot last year. We decided to increase the planted surface. There will be more products in the future due to this, and we will be able to compete more effectively with importers of berries.

– What are your plans for the future?

– We will continue to expand the business. The new plantation will be slightly different from the current one – a little more peat for root nutrition. The irrigation system will be integrated with the central computer, the system will analyze and regulate the volume and timing of water supply. We will also use agrofibre or agrotextile, which retains moisture in the soil, not allowing it to evaporate. Hopefully this will save water. We have not thought about processing yet, as we are working for the fresh market and freezing. When processing, you can no longer do without the addition of sugar and some preservatives. For this reason, we avoid processing for now.

– One of your projects is to introduce a new American technology for growing blueberries in tunnels. How and when will this happen?

– In a broad sense, it is the “dream of tomorrow”. New American technology implies growing blueberries in tunnels, much like in greenhouses. It is grown in pots and requires less peat. There is less dependence on weather conditions. It is important that there is sun, so that the berries accumulate sugar content, ripen on time. We plan to invest, gain knowledge abroad. At the same time, we will try to maintain an acceptable price level for consumers.

– Do you plan to enter new markets and exports?

– Our goal is to satisfy the Moldovan market with fresh local berries, and we are working on this. With the growth of production planned for the next few years, we will also expand supplies to the EU and Russian markets. Also, the yield should be about 5-7 tonnes per hectare, and thus, 65-91 tonnes per 13 hectares of the company’s area, but we harvested only 20 tonnes last year.

– There is competition even in the domestic market. What are your competitive advantages?

– The biggest competitors are berry importers from Romania. But our berries are always fresh. For example, they are harvested today, they cool down overnight. The next day they are available in the retail stores and on the consumer’s table. Our blueberries were also cheaper compared to those imported from Romania this year. Blueberries are expensive premium-segment berries not only in Moldova, but also in many European countries. They cannot cost as much as, for instance, raspberries or blackberries here. But we want blueberries to be more affordable to the average Moldovan consumer. We want to make our customers happy.

– In addition to blueberries, you also grow sea buckthorn. How do you sell it and what are your plans for the future?

– We sell sea buckthorn in social networks, chain stores and, of course, some restaurants buy it for seasonal tea. Retailers contacted us to buy our berries. The planting area of ​​sea buckthorn (36 ha) is larger than that of blueberries (13 ha). So far, we also sell it fresh or frozen, without processing. It starts to oxidize within 42 hours if it is not frozen. We cut sea buckthorn with twigs and freeze it within two to three hours after harvest. The harvest is sold until March. We are currently working on the expansion of these plantations (Clara varieties, as well as Mara and Dora).

Сообщение Lolly Berry from Moldova – an example of efficient cultivation of niche berries появились сначала на EastFruit.

Sartichala Vineyard Management LLC is one of the biggest growers of modern table grape varieties in Georgia. The company operates a 30-HA table grape vineyard featuring the most demanded varieties – Italia Muscat, Red Globe, Regal, and Crimson Seedless. The farm is located 40 km from Tbilisi next to Sartichala village.

Sartichala Vineyard Management LLC has harvested first table grapes this season thanks to the support of the USAID Agriculture Program co-funded advisory of the Italian agronomist who has been providing online and onsite consultancies in irrigation, fertigation, pruning, green operations, and pest management best practices.  60 tons of table grapes have been already supplied and sold at Carrefour, Spar, and Nikora supermarket chains with 30 more tons to be harvested by the end of the season.

EastFruit spoke with the company CEO – Konstantine Kvernadze – about the table grapes market in Georgia and the company’s plans.

– When did you start the table grapes business, what is the capacity of your orchard and when do you expect to reach it?

We see great potential for Georgian table grapes locally, but also on international markets. Prior to the start of the project, our team conducted a study of the local market in Georgia and assessed international trade opportunities regularly published by EastFruit. To be competitive on local but also international markets we decided to start with modern seedless varieties and extend the supply season with the ability to store grapes.

See also: Major breakthrough in Georgian table grapes exports

The vineyard was planted last year, in 2020, but before planting, the company shareholders visited Italian producers and designed the vineyard according to the newest technologies before planting. The vineyard is 30 hectares in total and this is the first year of production. The yield is 3-5 tons per ha, with an expected total yield of 850-900 tons next year.

– What is special in the production methods that allow you to reach this productivity?

-As European table grapes producers we grow grapes on pergolas, the whole vineyard is covered with anti-hail protection nets. An additional plastic cover will be applied in the future to prolong harvest time and protect grapes from seasonal rains. Our system allows us to fertigate and irrigate grapes exactly when it is needed. We use irrigation sensors (humidity controller), but do not have a weather station. However, it is a very important tool to have for a successful business in agriculture. In near future, we will set up a weather station in the field. The robust steel structure of the vineyard is designed to receive maximum yield.

– Given the decrease of tourists’ inflow due to pandemics, do you see the potential of growth in local consumption and how do you plan to sell your products in Georgia?

– Georgia is importing 1,500-2,000 tons of table grapes annually. Our goal is to replace imports on the local market. Our shareholders are closely working with Carrefour retail chain, thus 100% of our grapes are sold in organized retail. Branding is important to help increase the value of the product and we expect to introduce it once our farm is working at full capacity in 2022. Despite COVID-19 restrictions and decreasing tourism numbers, consumption has increased, instead of decreasing. In the country, there are up to 200-ha of table grape vineyards, and up to 50-ha are used to produce modern table grape vineyards with new varieties. In general, Georgian customers like to consume local products. When COVID-19 restrictions are over and tourists return, we believe table grape consumption will grow very fast.

-The season of table grapes in Georgia lasts from August to October, there is an opportunity to extend it with early varieties, greenhouse, and storage of table until March-April when imports are highest. Do you plan to introduce early varieties and/or greenhouse production for June-July and cold storage for winter months?

– All grapes in our vineyard are late varieties, we are planning to extend the supply time for grapes by keeping them in our cold storage, which is currently under construction, until the winter months. Cold storage is not only crucial in extending the shelf life of grapes, it is necessary for sorting them. We think it’s possible to cooperate with other producers according to market demand, so we are able to supply our clients as long as possible.

We may introduce early varieties in the future. This is dependent on the areas of the country which are suitable for early production. There are some regions that produce from July to late October.

– What international standards do you plan to introduce in your orchard and why?

We plan to introduce GlobalGAP for grape production and IFS for our sorting/packaging facility, which is necessary to supply our products to the EU market, primary Baltic states. As we see the future of our growth in the EU market, we are going to introduce those standards accordingly. We think that table grapes from Georgia have even more potential than wine from Georgia in the EU.

Сообщение Georgian table grapes have great potential in the domestic and foreign markets – Konstantine Kvernadze, Sartichala Vineyard Management появились сначала на EastFruit.

Offers of kiwi seedlings, an exotic fruit for Uzbekistan so far, have become increasingly common in Uzbek Telegram channels and Facebook groups on farming. However, it is still unknown whether there are kiwi orchards at commercial levels in the country.

EastFruit experts asked one of the most experienced kiwi growers, Shukhrat Umarov from Kokand, Fergana region, about his practice of kiwi cultivation in Uzbekistan. Mr. Umarov has been growing kiwi for 15 years and willingly shares the peculiarities of its cultivation technologies in Uzbek climate. Shukhrat Umarov grows kiwi in the open field and considers this culture to be winter-hardy enough for the local conditions.

– Please tell us why did you decide to experiment with growing kiwi in Uzbekistan?

– I like to experiment with cultures that are new to our climate and and territory. In 2006, I heard that a growers from Andijan brought a few kiwi seedlings from Turkey. It interested me, but, unfortunately, I didn’t have enough money to buy them. Then I learned that kiwi can be grown from seeds. I bought a Hayward kiwi in a store, took the seeds, planted them in a special soil and began to grow kiwi seedlings. After a year, the seedlings reached about 40 cm and I put them into regular soil outside. In the next 5 years, three out of ten seedlings blossomed, but only one of these three bore fruit.

Observing the differences in flowers and the fruiting process, I realized that kiwi seedlings are of two types – male and female. Accordingly, the male type is pollinating, it blooms, but does not bear fruit, and only the female type bears fruit. They even differ in the color of the flowers.

In the photo: female (left) and male (right) types of kiwi plant

I studied and mastered the methods of grafting kiwi seedlings, the optimal ratio of male and female types, the best time of the year for grafting, the peculiarities of caring for this plant, including watering, fertilizing, pruning, etc.

As a result, in 2018, I got about 50 kg of kiwi harvest from each plant for the first time. By my calculations, about 40 tons of kiwis are harvested per hectare, since there are about 800 plants per hectare.

It must be noted that kiwi harvest will increase with each subsequent year from the moment the plant begins to bear fruit. For example, in the first year of fruiting, 5-10 kg per plant are harvested, in the second year – 20-30 kg, and so on up to 50-60 kg.

– Are there any taste differences between your kiwis and imported ones?

– Of course, there are. Kiwis grown in Uzbekistan differ from imported ones in a sweeter and, in my opinion, richer taste. It is difficult for me to describe the taste – you need to try it.

– What are the features of growing kiwi in Uzbekistan based on your experience?

– For this plant, the following conditions should be provided: first, moist and soft soi, and second, maintaining the required level of humidity. In the hot and dry climate of Uzbekistan, it can be provided with drip irrigation or in another ways, but not abundant. The humidity can be achieved by injecting water using sprinkler systems at certain times of the day. Based on my experience, in the conditions of Uzbekistan such sprinkling or spraying of the kiwi plant should be done from May to September inclusive, every day for several hours a day, and even after sunset in summer.

If air humidity is not sufficient, the fruits are smaller than imported ones. In other words, it affects the size of kiwis.

Therefore, there are better conditions for the cultivation of kiwi in Uzbek regions and micro-zones with higher humidity, as well as the air temperature lower than the national average.

In terms of care, the kiwi plant is not very pretentious. Kiwi is resistant to diseases and does not require special protection measures against diseases or pests. Therefore, much less agrotechnical work is needed compared to other crops. As for fertilizers, I can say that the use of, for instance, vermicompost gives very good results.

It is important to know and observe the optimal time for grafting kiwi seedlings in Uzbekistan, to master the methods and techniques of pruning. The yield of kiwi directly is directly dependente. For example, the branches that bore fruit this year will not bear fruit next year, so they need to be pruned.

Hayward kiwi harvest fully ripens in the first ten days of November, but for long-term storage and transportation, you need to start harvesting from about October 25th.

– What about frost resistance and the effect of frost on the crop, which occurs every few years?

– The seedlings I have grown during 15 years have withstood all the winters and colds. In 2008, there was a very cold winter in Uzbekistan. My seedlings were only two years old then, and I thought it was the time my experiments with kiwi ended. To my surprise, in spring I saw that the seedlings survived.

The frosts in late February and mid-March 2021 certainly affected the kiwi harvest. This year, the yield dropped to 25-30 kg per plant – almost 2 times lower than usual. But I still got kiwi harvest from every female plant.

– Do you plan to create industrial kiwi orchard in Uzbekistan?

– I am often asked this question, but I am mainly focused on other crops, and I do not have the land for such orchards. Growing kiwi is my hobby, caused by the desire to cultivate this plant in the conditions of Uzbekistan and see how it turns out.

As a commercial component of my hobby, I established a small business for growing and selling kiwi seedlings, accompanying and advising on its cultivation.

– How do you assess the interest of farmers in kiwi seedlings? Have there been any large orders?

– I did not have large orders for kiwi seedlings. The volume of orders is from a few to twenty seedlings, they are bought mainly for planting in subsidiary or personal plots. Accordingly, this kiwi harvest goes for personal consumption and almost does not enter the market.

According to EastFruit analysts, from 2017 to 2019, the volume of kiwi imports to Uzbekistan increased from 1.2 thousand tons to a record 4.1 thousand tons per year, and in 2020 decreased to 2.1 thousand tons. More than half was supplied from Iran, and the rest from Pakistan and Turkey. Small volumes of kiwi – up to 70 tons per year, are also imported from Chile, China and Russia (re-export). In 2021, Argentina joined the list of kiwi suppliers.

Currently, the average retail price for kiwi in supermarkets in Uzbekistan is 55,000 UZS/kg ($5.1/kg).

Obviously, the cost of growing kiwis in Uzbekistan will be lower than in the largest countries supplying them to the global market due to lower labor costs. Providing high humidity in the farm with sprinklers will also help protect kiwi from frost if necessary, since the sprinklers are the most effective protection system today when the temperature drops below zero in spring.

Given high prices in the domestic market, the commercial cultivation of kiwi in Uzbekistan can be profitable, EastFruit experts conclude. Moreover, thanks to the possibility to harvest kiwis riper, they can be sold more expensive than imported ones, as they will be more delicious. And if the locals try really tasty kiwi and tell their friends, the consumption of these fruits in the country can rise sharply, creating new opportunities for investment in production. Then exports can be considered. For instance, in neighboring Tajikistan, the popularity of kiwi is growing rapidly and it has already become a must-have of the New Year’s table.

Сообщение Growing kiwi in Uzbekistan – grower’s experience появились сначала на EastFruit.

Jorge Duarte, a Portuguese agronomist who advises berry growers, was hired by USAID’s agriculture program in Georgia to advise local growers. After a series of online seminars in 2020, he visited berry plantations in Georgia twice in April and July 2021. Since Jorge has extensive experience working with berries in Morocco, Egypt, Romania, Spain, Italy, Turkey, EastFruit Georgian experts discussed the current state and prospects of blueberry production in Georgia with him.

What can you tell us about the raspberries and blackberries sector in Georgia?

The main tendency is that raspberries and blackberries are planted in open fields in Georgia. In my experience, it is not the best choice for the fresh market. Usually, open-field berries are sold to the processing sector, as open-field production opens the door for various diseases, sunburns, and mold on fruit which makes it less valuable for the fresh market. All of these climate-related issues reduce production potential and marketable yields. Berries for fresh markets are produced in tunnels for a protection from rain, direct sunlight, pests, and diseases.

Most varieties, like Nova, Caroline, Himbo Top, and Tulamagic (primocane variety) I’ve seen in Georgia are old. Only recently the USAID Agriculture program has introduced to growers new varieties such as the primocane Amira, which can be harvested in autumn and spring. Early varieties are important because summer is warm in the regions, where raspberries and blackberries are planted in Georgia. Temperature is high, above 30 degrees Celsius, and humidity is low, below 50% in Summer. These conditions aren’t favorable for berry production. From my point of view, the best climate for summer harvesting in Georgia is in the Guria region because of the humidity from the Black Sea and the milder temperature as well as the softer climate. Therefore, it would be ideal for Georgia to produce raspberries and blackberries in spring and autumn in tunnels and shade nets to improve the quality and yields. Addition of the spring and autumn production to the main production season in summer and a good mix of varieties allow to be presented on supermarket shelves for a longer time and secure long term contracts

How can Georgian farmers improve quality now?

They can start with placing shade nets in orchards to avoid the negative effects of the sun. This is something we are already discussing with growers but they have not started investing in it yet. According to my information, few suppliers are working on the Georgian market, which makes it difficult to import materials or makes imports too expensive. Having shade nets is just one thing to improve quality now. It is not the ultimate solution.

Another point is the high pH level in the soil. It is difficult to grow plants above pH level of 8 without correcting the soil because most nutrients are absorbed on soil pH levels 6-7. Most of the soils are not amended with elemental sulfur to lower pH levels in Georgia. This should be done a minimum from 6 to 12 months before planting to create a reaction and regulate pH shift in soil. Besides that, growers need to use more acidic fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and monoammonium phosphate to keep a lower pH in the root zone. This also includes the acidification of the irrigation water due to the high bicarbonate levels in it which creates a strong buffer in the pH level and consequently in the soil of the root area.

When starting from scratch, obviously, the key to success is to have the correct plan from the beginning. It should start with choosing suitable varieties for Georgia to harvest in spring and autumn and building specific tunnels for each variety.

I would also advise farmers to plant more seedlings per ha than are planted now. Normally from 12000 to 16000 plug plants are planted per ha, but this number is 6000-7000 in Georgia. This system was used in the US and Europe 20-30 years ago, back then farmers had more space between plants because they were growing them in bundles. Today 3 to 4 plants are planted in one linear meter as a single plant, with a trellis system in Europe.

The Georgian growers I’ve visited are using a trellis system but the distance between plants is 0.75 or 1 m instead of 0.25 or 0.33 m. As the old system is used mostly with floricane varieties in Georgia that give fruits only after the first year in the soil, plants will multiply from root suckers, increasing orchards’ density, but in order to reach higher yields, growers should start with a higher number of plants.

Is it possible to reduce the costs when producing for processing?

To lower the costs, berries are machine harvested. Handpicking will always be more expensive, however, we cannot avoid picking by hand, when targeting fresh market. At the same time labor shortage is already an issue in Georgia. When working with fresh market, there will be some percentage of non-conditional fruit that will go in processing anyway thus the cost for handpicking should be considered.

Read also: Mechanical harvesting is becoming a reality in Georgian orchards

When picked for processing, growers can leave the fruit on plants for a longer period and pick them at once, this way labor cost is lower, however, berries for processing are also much cheaper, Growers should consider requirements from buyers. In Portugal, if you pick blackberries for the fresh market, you can harvest on average of 3-4 kg in an hour but for processing, you can collect 10-12 kg, according to picking data from growers in the sector.

What is your advice to growers or those who are planning to invest in this sector?

Gain knowledge before planting. Visiting raspberry and blackberry farms outside of your country should be the first thing to do. This will familiarize you with the newest trends and the future of this sector. If there is not enough knowledge in your country, you should look for outside support to get advice that can help you in the business development.

Get informed about the best varieties in the market, talk to advisors and nurseries. Select the most suitable  varieties for exports. Selling locally and exporting is different. Locally you can sell more ripe fruit, but if you have to transport it by plane or truck, you should have the best varieties with the best shelf life to keep the quality.

For local or close export markets like Russia, varieties such as Tulameen, Glen Ample, Imara, Kweli, or Mapema, still can be the most interesting ones, as it is in Eastern European markets. For long-distance export, it is better to get new varieties with longer shelf life like Amira, Lagorai, Wengi, Optima, Enrosadira, Kwanza, Eros, or Clarita. Most of the best varieties are protected with a license. Only licensed nurseries like Driscolls, Berry World, ABB Breeding, or Planasa sell them.

Make analysis of strengths and weaknesses to see the challenges you have to face.

Find the best land and water to start your project. I saw that some regions are lacking water. State water supply channels are in deficit or non-existent there. Without water availability, berry production will be scarce. The minimum is to have a source with at least 8 m3/hour.

Order raspberry or blackberry plants at least 6 months before planting. Even if you want to plant long canes (mature cane ready to produce) in February – March you need to order these plants at least 9 to 12 months ahead.

Consider not only production, but post-harvest handling. Cold chain from the field to the farm is a key to keep quality and freshness of berries.

Low demand is traditionally a weakness in berry markets but low supply is often the problem too, especially when markets have just started to develop. Georgia needs to create a steady supply to have a steady demand. Once consumers start seeing berries more often on the shelves their behavior will change, but it will take some time, as berries might still be considered a luxury fruit.

Сообщение Jorge Duarte: The protected culture could improve the berry sector in Georgia появились сначала на EastFruit.

The current season of raisins production started in the second decade of August 2021 and it will last until the end of September in Uzbekistan, EastFruit experts report. The season for drying grapes and producing raisins is in full swing now.

Raisins are Uzbekistan’s top export position in the dried fruit category, as well as fresh grapes in the fresh fruit category in terms of export earnings. In 2017-2019 the export volumes of dried grapes from the country ranged from 69 thousand to 78 thousand tons per year, amounting from $ 59 million to $ 105 million. In 2020, the exports of raisins decreased to 42 thousand tons, and the revenue fell to $ 55 million.

Why did the exports of Uzbek raisins decrease in 2020? What factors affect the quality of raisins and how exactly are they produced in Uzbekistan? Zokir Bobokulov, a farmer from the Samarkand region with thirty years of experience in viticulture and raisin production and a higher education in agriculture, spoke in detail about this and other important features of drying grapes and the raisin market in Uzbekistan in an interview with EastFruit.

– What grape varieties are used for the production of raisins? 

– In general, raisins can be made from both grapes with seeds and seedless varieties. Now they are produced mainly from the seedless grape variety “Kish-mish”. At the same time, the so-called “black raisins” produced from “Black kish-mish” are the most popular and have a sweet taste without sourness. Yellow raisins with a brown tint are made from “White kish-mish” and have a sweet and sour taste. The market size of such raisins is significantly smaller compared to black raisins. It is used as an ingredient for wedding pilaf, a component for fruit and nut mixes (for example, muesli) and in the confectionery industry.

Raisins from grapes with seeds have gradually disappeared from the diet of consumers over the past several decades. Currently, the demand for them is very low, so such raisins are rarely sold.

– How is the start of the raisin production season determined and what determines the quality? 

– Firstly, in order to obtain high-quality raisins, the glucose content in grapes, the raw material, should be 25-30%, or not less than 20%. For this, grapes must reach their required accumulated temperature during the ripening period. In Uzbekistan, this stage of maturation of the Kish-mish variety is reached no earlier than August, although it becomes available on the fresh market much earlier.

Depending on different weather every year, grapes acquire the necessary properties, i.e. ripen to produce quality raisins on different dates of the month. Summer was hotter and drier in Uzbekistan this year compared to the annual average for this time of year. Accordingly, “Kish-mish” for raisins has ripened earlier than last year. In 2021, the raisin production began in mid-August, about 10-15 days earlier than 2020.

Secondly, the suitability of grapes for raisins production and the quality of the final product depends on how timely and properly the agrotechnical measures were carried out, including pruning, watering, fertilizing, protection from cold weather, pests and other work throughout the year. For example, due to the hot and dry summer of 2021, in many regions of Uzbekistan, there was a problem for growers who did not properly carry out all the works and did not provide appropriate care and nutrition to plants. As a result, their harvest is either unsuitable as raw material for raisins or cannot be used to obtain high-quality raisins.

In other words, the quality of raisins depends not only on the ripening conditions of the grapes (glucose content, accumulated temperature), but also on the whole process of growing grapes.

– Please tell us about the main stages and features of the production of raisins in Uzbekistan.

– Here I would like to return to the question of ripening grapes for the production of raisins. Above, I stipulated that in order to obtain high-quality raisins, the glucose content in grapes should ideally be 25-30%, but not less than 20%. The closer the glucose content is to the ideal value, the greater is the yield of the final product. For example, with the minimum required glucose content in fruits, from 5 kg of grapes you get 1 kg of raisins, and with an ideal glucose content – from 3 kg of grapes you get 1 kg of raisins.

The question arises – why not wait for grapes to ripen to the required glucose content in order to get a higher yield of the final product?

The fact is, according to traditional technology, grapes are dried in natural conditions in the open air, without the use of special rooms and equipment. In such natural conditions, warm, windy and dry weather is needed to obtain high-quality raisins. Since the raisin production season starts in August, the later you harvest grapes, waiting for perfect ripening, the greater is the risk of temperature changes and precipitation, which in turn changes the drying conditions for the worse. In other words, the longer you wait, the closer you get to unpredictable autumn weather. Therefore, in order to minimize weather risks, the harvest of grapes for raisins production starts when Kish-mish grapes reach the minimum required level of glucose.

Drying raisins indoors

Since grapes for raisins are harvested for several weeks, the glucose content gradually increases with each harvest and towards the end of this period, the raw material already contains the required glucose level. Thus, the average yield of the final product is 1 kg of raisins from about 4 kg of grapes.

As for the drying technology, two methods are used in Uzbekistan: the first – under a canopy or in a well-ventilated room and the second – under the open sky.

With the first method, we get the so-called “soyak mayiz”, which means “raisins obtained in the shade” or “shade raisins”. Here, warm and dry wind is important. Not later than the next day after harvest, bunches of grapes are hung on horizontal slats under a canopy or indoors. In the case of indoors, it must be ventilated from all sides. With this method, the drying time is 30-40 days. The raisins obtained in this way are soft and have greater elasticity compared to those made under the direct sunlight.

The second method is drying in the open air in direct sunlight. After harvesting, bunches of grapes are laid out in one layer, without pressing them together, so that they get better ventilation. Drying lasts from 15 to 25 days, depending on the air temperature.

For both production methods, grapes in bunches must be loose, otherwise they are poorly ventilated, and this will negatively affect the quality of raisins.

At the end of the drying stage, the dried bunches of grapes are collected in a heap. Grapes dried in the shade and those dried in the sun are stored separately. They are not mixed, since they are different subvarieties of the same product. Then the dried fruits are manually separated from each bunch.

The final stage of raisins production is sorting. Since bunches of grapes of the Kish-mish variety contain large, medium and small fruits, after drying and separating the dried fruits from the bunches we have dried fruits of different sizes. The sorting is made by size, manually. At the end, we have about three or four varieties of raisins, sorted by size.

Raisins before sorting

Accordingly, 1st grade – the largest caliber is sold at the highest price, 2nd grade – at the middle price category, 3rd grade – at the lowest prices. As you might guess, the higher the percentage of large caliber raisins, the more profit the raisin producer has.

Here I want to emphasize once again the importance of the quality of raw materials for the production of raisins, i.e. obtaining a grape harvest with the highest percentage of large berries and an appropriate density in the bunch. And for this you need to invest labor, money and carry out all the necessary agrotechnical measures during the entire period of growing grapes.

With slight differences, all producers in the country use the technology that I briefly described.

– Have you ever used special drying chambers or other equipment at any stage of raisin production?

– As far as I know, there are no drying chambers and other equipment for it. During the drying phase, I tried to use equipment originally intended for other purposes as a dryer. But the quality of the raisins is different from those dried in natural conditions.

– How long is the trading season for raisins?

– One year – from September to September each year. For example, in the second half of September we will start selling raisins produced from the grape harvest of 2021 to wholesalers, and this season will last until the raisins from the new 2022 grape harvest come to the market – until September next year.

– How do the stocks of raisins from previous years affect the prices of raisins from the current year’s grape harvest?

– Last year’s stocks of raisins have little effect on the pricing of the new raisins, because as soon as raisins from a new grape harvest enter the market, last year’s raisins move into a different category and are considered to be of lower quality than new ones. The quality of raisins changes with time, the internal mass becomes thicker and they lose their commercial properties.

Raisins before sorting

– In your opinion, what are the reasons for such a sharp decline in the volume of raisins exports from Uzbekistan in 2020?

– The rains in early August 2020, in the last weeks of ripening of the Kish-mish variety for the production of raisins, led to cracking of fruits in several regions of the country. Producers that managed to apply sulfur treartments on time, were able to save most of the harvest. However, the production of raisins has decreased by 20-30%. There were even fewer quality raisins available for exports. Accordingly, prices for high-quality raisins have risen sharply.

Raisins from the new grape harvest

According to EastFruit, Uzbekistan was one of the four largest exporters of raisins in the world after Turkey, Iran and the United States in terms of export volumes until 2020. However, the average export prices for Uzbek raisins was relatively low, therefore, in terms of the volume of raisin export revenues, Uzbekistan was also inferior to Chile and South Africa, being the sixth in the world.

The development of logistics and technologies for growing and preserving the quality and freshness of fruits is gradually leading to the replacement of dried fruits with fresh fruits in the diet of consumers around the world. The global trade in fresh fruit is growing, while the trade in dried fruit is stagnating and tending to decline. Accordingly, the raisin market is also going through hard times. However, quality products in this category will always be in demand.

Сообщение An expert from Uzbekistan shares details of how high-quality Uzbek raisins are produced появились сначала на EastFruit.

Jorge Duarte, a Portuguese agronomist who advises berry growers, was hired by USAID’s agriculture program in Georgia to advise local growers. After a series of online seminars in 2020, he visited berry plantations in Georgia twice in April and July 2021. Since Jorge has extensive experience working with berries in Morocco, Egypt, Romania, Spain, Italy, Turkey, EastFruit Georgian experts discussed the current state and prospects of blueberry production in Georgia with him.

– What was your first impression of the blueberry sector in Georgia?

– In July, I visited several small and large blueberry plantations in the Guria region. Large blueberry farms in Portugal are rare, on average they do not exceed 2 hectares. Blueberries are a very labor-intensive crop – it can take 25 people to harvest one hectare. As more plantations are established, producers are facing labor shortages now. And this will continue in the future due to competition between various sub-sectors and companies. The same thing happened in Portugal, which led to the mechanization of some processes such as pruning. Harvesting is still done manually. After spending one week in orchards in Georgia, I can conclude that the level of mechanization is low or absent.

– Georgian producers believe that manual picking helps to preserve the high quality of berries and thus they sell better on the fresh market, what can you say about this?

– This is true throughout the world, not only in Georgia. But it is relevant only when growing old varieties, as in Georgia. The main producing countries are now planting new varieties that are more resistant and adapted to mechanical harvesting. Cultivation of new varieties is now a trend in Portugal as well, growers started planting them 3-4 years ago. However, the area planted with new varieties in Georgia is small. Georgian growers should get acquainted with modern varieties suitable for mechanized harvesting, as they will face even more shortage of labor for manual harvesting in the future.

– Which varieties are suitable for mechanical harvesting?

– You can mechanize harvesting on any blueberry farm, but the percentage of damaged fruits will vary. The goal of mechanical harvesting is to harvest high quality berries with less losses. For milder varieties such as New Hanover, Star or even Legacy, which can also be soft in extreme temperatures, it will be difficult to use machines without getting a lot of softer berries. This is not recommended, but still possible if a producer can handle a higher waste rate. One of the best varieties for mechanical harvesting is Duke, a High Chill variety. There are also good Mid Chill and Low Chill varieties, such as Top Shelf, Blue Ribbon and Suziblue.

For mechanized harvesting, areas should be planted with blueberries in a pattern that allows to harvest and trim bushes properly. All this should be considered before planting. As far as I know, there are no blueberry plantations in Georgia suitable for mechanized harvesting now.

– Can existing plantations be adapted for mechanical harvesting?

– The main peculiarity of the planting scheme is the distance between rows and pruning. Plants should be pruned so that they grow straight and do not open. It is necessary to remove low branches and prepare the plants for mechanical harvesting. The resistance of fruits to mechanical harvesting, as well as distance between the plants are also important. The machines on the market are designed for a row spacing of 2.5-3 meters.

It is possible to adapt existing harvesters, or you can find smaller machines that can be attached to your tractor. Finefields from the Netherlands and Tresac from Serbia are known in this market.

– Are Georgian farmers ready now for these changes?

– I think that farmers are now busy with other issues such as commercialization, having enough people to harvest and the quality of products. Other challenges relate to studying the use of a cooling system to maintain quality and improve irrigation management. Irrigation is not well designed in terms of the number of drippers per meter, which interferes with good water distribution around the root zone. Producers should take into account that blueberries have a very shallow root system. It is mostly 20 cm deep and plants need a lot of water in the spring and summer. Some of the producers I have seen have installed inefficient irrigation systems.

Another aspect growers should pay attention to is fertilization and soil improvement. The soil in the region of Guria is rich in clay – 50-70%, which is bad for blueberries. The soil for blueberries should be light so that water can penetrate well. I have seen too heavy soils and insufficient soil improvement work (correct weed removal, improving natural soil drainage with rippers, increasing/decreasing soil pH with lime or sulfur, adding extra organic matter to improve rooting, etc.). For tall ridges, I would recommend 40 cm high and 90-100 cm wide, which is very important for oxygenating the root system and improving water distribution. There were several successful growers, but they did it at a rough guess.

It is also important to plan your blueberry plantation in advance. Modern farmers cannot wait two or three years to start harvesting. They must harvest the first crop of berries one year after planting, at least 0.5 kg to 1 kg per plant, for which high quality planting material is needed. The market sells annual and biennial blueberry seedlings. Most nurseries plan to grow annuals rather than biennials as biennials require more space, resizing pots, and additional substrates, which makes seedlings more expensive. Biennial plants are usually used in climates with a shorter growing season than in Northern Europe.

Many farmers in Georgia plant in winter rather than spring, but spring is better because of higher temperatures and better light so that the plants grow and develop the root system faster. Another issue is ordering plants on time, at least 1,5 years before planting. If one thinks about planting in 3 months, he risks buying second-class seedlings from nurseries, mostly leftovers. In nurseries, seedlings are planted by in vitro propagation (common) or stem cuttings (currently less common) with sufficient time (3-6 months) before they grow in 1L, 1.5L or 2L pots that are used often.

Nurseries and growers can both benefit if they know in advance what to supply (varieties, quantity and type of plants), leading to improved service and quality of purchased plants. With that said, I believe that any blueberry plantation project should be planned at least 2 years in advance, not 6 months as I saw in Georgia.

– What can be the solution for plantations that grow poorly?

– If the plants do not start to grow well a year or two after planting, it is better to remove them from the field and replant. I quote Dave Brazelton, who is very well skilled in blueberries, who said, “You have two years to love blueberries and your whole life to hate them.”

If farmers do not cope with the planting material and soil preparation, they will not be successful enough with this crop, especially on such heavy soils, as I have seen in the Guria region, so they must do everything well.

The climate in the Guria region seems to be quite suitable for growing blueberries, but the soil has some issues, such as a high percentage of clay, which is not recommended, but still can be used to grow blueberries.

As I read in one of your publications, blueberry plantations have existed in Georgia since 2012. Nowadays, when the market is very demanding, growers should focus on improving plantation design, soil and irrigation system characteristics, gaining basic knowledge of the operations, both pruning, and continuing a good and sustainable soil and plant fertilization program.

To summarize, as I understand it, large companies have already learned some of these lessons from their own mistakes, and now new producers must learn that. I also believe that blueberry growers could benefit from joining forces to improve communication with each other, learn from others and create a true blueberry industry in Georgia that is new and dynamic and could be an important newcomer to the export market.

Сообщение Jorge Duarte: an effective blueberry industry can be created in Georgia появились сначала на EastFruit.

Harvest of hazelnut in Georgia starts in a week time. The last season has revealed a recovery trend highlighted by the highest production level in recent five years after brown stinkbug invasion – 33 tnd tons. This year growers are hoping for even a better production, however, to achieve success on the global market the quality of nuts should be improved too.

Also: Aflatoxins remain a major problem for Georgian hazelnuts, despite recent improvements

We spoke with Mr. Blai Llort Marti, agronomist and technician, former CEO of FRUSESA, BAIN BORGES International Group, who has already spent more than 10 years in Georgia, sourcing various nuts to the European Union and the US from the region.

On expectations for 2021/22 harvest in Georgia

“With my team of Agro-Origins we have visited Samegrelo a couple of weeks ago to monitor our sourcing partners. Indeed, future harvest looks promising. The quantity of hazelnut in Georgia may increase by 10% and finally reach 2015 year in-shell quantities. However, it is early to assess how much of that quantity is marketable and can be sold for exports.  The last season showed 4-5% of hidden rotten and 3-4% insect bite in kernel of Georgian hazelnut. While European buyers are looking for maximum 2% of hidden rotten and 0.5% of insect bite. For comparison, in hazelnuts from Azerbaijan we have 0.5% of hidden rotten, that’s why traders must pay for Azerbaijan hazelnut 30% more”, – says Mr. Llort.

it takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it

“I believe in Georgia’s hazelnut industry, as I was successfully exporting Georgian hazelnut to California in 2015-2016 just before the quality crisis caused by the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). We have arranged cooperation with Candor AGS, based in California, US, who are suppliers of Costco Wholesales,  aiming to source kernels of Georgian hazelnut for their nut’s mixes for retail consumers. Before we also have made Due Diligence for sourcing pine nuts from Far East, Russia together with Costco and WWF social and ecologic program.  Unfortunately, this opportunity is lost for Georgia, as global business is very sensitive to the continuous quality. As Warren Buffet said, it takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it”

it is impossible to develop a sustainable project in rural areas, if there are not young people

“It is very unfortunate, that people are leaving rural areas of Samegrelo, where most of Georgian hazelnut is grown. The trend was already visible before pandemics, as population decreased by 3.7% in the region and is more deteriorated due to labor migration to Turkey due to economic crisis caused by COVID19. There women are working in hazelnut and tea plantations. According to my estimations only about 50% of factories are fully operational as there is simply no working hands for hazelnut sorting, as it is still manual process here. Youth is moving to the capital in the search for better life, while we need their energy, dedication, and long-term vision here, in rural Samegrelo. Otherwise, on processing side the sector is well established – HACCP principles are introduced, and National Food Agency regularly monitors factories. I wish growers are more involved in the process, taking responsibility for the quality and control over spraying and following production protocols and not only hoping that Government will take care of everything. It is the seventh season after the BMSB crisis and in terms of quality we still have doubts. Something should be changed.”

Сообщение “The Georgian hazelnut would be in high demand in the US if it wasn’t for the quality” expert says появились сначала на EastFruit.