Georgia's hazelnut industry is facing renewed pressure from the spread of tortoise beetles and hazelnut blight, which have already damaged around 10% of orchards. Industry representatives warn that without government or donor support, up to 30% of orchards could be lost next year.
Merab Chitanava, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Hazelnut Producers Association, said the problem has expanded rapidly in recent seasons. "We've had a fairly good season overall, but the sudden withering of hazelnut bushes, a problem that appeared only a few years ago, has spread rapidly across Samegrelo and Guria regions," he told BMG. "Around 10% of our sector is already infected with this bacterium, and fighting it is financially difficult. Farmers simply cannot afford the necessary treatment without support from the state or donor organizations."
Chitanava explained that controlling hazelnut blight is costly, requiring four rounds of treatment per season and agrochemicals worth between 1,300 and 1,500 GEL (US$480–550) per hectare. This is roughly three times the expense of managing fungal or scab-related diseases. "We fear that without timely assistance, next year 20–30% of orchards could wither," he said.
The Hazelnut Producers Association has submitted research and proposals to Georgia's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture to identify and manage the bacteria. However, Chitanava said that discussions have not yet taken place. "We've submitted proposals and conducted research with the Ministry to identify the bacteria, but so far, no discussions have taken place. We are still waiting for communication, though we may need to explore other options ourselves."
He warned that the current outbreak could have long-term effects on Georgia's hazelnut sector, one of the country's main agricultural exports. "The hazelnut sector risks severe decline unless coordinated action is taken soon," Chitanava concluded.
Source: Business Media
