The state program supporting hazelnut farmers will continue in 2025, with an increased budget of 23 million GEL, according to the Rural Development Agency. The Georgian government officially approved the program and published the relevant resolution in the Legislative Gazette on February 11.
The allocated budget for the "Hazelnut Production Support Program" has been raised from 21.5 million GEL in 2024 to 23 million GEL this year, reflecting the growing number of farmers registering in the hazelnut cadastre.
The hazelnut subsidy program provides financial support to farmers for purchasing pesticides and agrochemicals necessary for hazelnut cultivation. The subsidy is structured as follows:
Farmers with 0.2 to 3 hectares of hazelnut orchards are eligible for 500 GEL per hectare.If a farmer owns hazelnut orchards in co-ownership, shared use, or actual possession, the total area of orchards will not impact the subsidy amount, and each beneficiary will receive assistance separately under the program's terms.
In 2024, approximately 95,000 farmers across Georgia benefited from the subsidy program, covering more than 45,000 hectares of registered hazelnut orchards. The financial support provided last year exceeded 21.5 million GEL.
Farmers must register their hazelnut orchards in the Hazelnut Cadastre by March 31, 2025, to qualify for financial assistance. The Hazelnut Cadastre Working Group continues to visit villages for registration and consultation, following a published schedule available on the Rural Development Agency’s website, updated every Friday.
The initiative aims to strengthen Georgia’s hazelnut sector, improve crop quality and yield, and boost the country's agricultural exports.