2016-11-28
For the first time in the history of Georgian winemaking, the Badagoni Company will sell 5,000,000 bottles of wine in the Chinese market, a relevant memorandum between the company and Chinese Wenzhou Bydoway Import & Export Co was signed today at the Badagoni winery in the village of Khodasheni. The signing ceremony was attended by Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Minister of Agriculture Levan Davitashvili.
The Head of Government congratulated Badagoni on its 10th anniversary and wished it success. According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, what distinguishes the company, besides its top-notch equipment and technical excellence in Europe, is the fact that Badagoni combines the best traditions of Georgian winemaking and modern technology.
"It is this very synergy that makes possible the success of Georgian wine and occupying this niche which Georgian wine rightfully deserves, and we are talking about a premium niche and a premium niche only. Georgian wines are not just mass consumption goods. They belong in a premium niche because Georgia is commonly known-and rightly so-as the cradle of wine. The Georgian kvevri earthenware is an example of world cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO's," the Prime Minister stated and thanked His Eminence Metropolitan David of Alaverdi and representatives of the Badagoni Company for playing a historic role in the introduction of Georgian wine in the global markets.
According to the Head of Government, it is very important that Badagoni exports wines to 32 countries across the world. Overall, the export of Georgian wine increased by 28% last year, which is a very important indicator.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili congratulated Badagoni on signing the memorandum with the Chinese company on selling 5 million bottles of wine and expressed hope that the document, and the numbers written therein, will require updating in the near future.
"The export of Georgian wine to China, a market of inexhaustible opportunities, does not end here. We have completed negotiations on the free trade agreement with China, and I hope it will be signed soon. We have consent from Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng that the agreement's provisions related to wine will come into force upon signing. We believe that this will multiply the competitiveness of Georgian wine in the Chinese market. Of course, the current trends in our relations with China are very important. This year, we were planning to export 3-3.5 million bottles of wine to the Chinese market, and today we can state that, as of November, our export has exceeded 4.8 million bottles. In other words, it will exceed 5 million bottles by the end of this year," the Prime Minister stated and pointed out that, given the memorandum signed between Badagoni and the Chinese company, next year even more positive dynamics should be expected. According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili's assessment, it is commendable that GAU5, a new wine brand from Badagoni, is about to roll out. The Prime Minister is convinced that this new trademark will prove a success. "I am convinced that it will be successful in the Chinese market as well, for which we aspire greatly based on the positive results the diversification of these markets brings about. It will be an absolutely stable export market for Georgia," Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated.
According to the Prime Minister, supporting winemaking is the Government's priority. The complex program to encourage winemaking, the state program to support vintage, and the program of subsidies and agricultural loans, which has resulted in the growth of vineyard areas, were launched in 2012.
"I do not want to start comparing with what was happening before, but we must say that this is the positive trend that has a truly existential importance for Georgia. Georgia has survived thanks to its culture and the way the Georgian people have always cherished their vineyards. For Georgia, vineyard-keeping is not just another industry, but a demonstration of the greatest heritage that requires care. This is our goal in subsidizing grapes. Today we focus on further improving the quality, and I believe that the positive process we are witnessing will continue further," Giorgi Kvirikashvili said.
The Prime Minister singled out and thanked Giorgi Salakaia (the company's head) and Metropolitan David of Alaverdi who played a historic role in the revival of traditional wines. He also thanked Donato Lanati, a Badagoni partner, whom he called the ambassador of Georgian wine in Europe, Minister of Agriculture Levan Davitashvili who "since the time when he led the Wine Agency has done so much to introduce the world to Georgian wine", also the special guest from the People's Republic of China, and the Governor of the Kakheti Region, who is also "engaged in the promotion and support of Georgian wine and its production."
Today the Prime Minister visited the Badagoni winery and participated in the tasting of the company's wines.
Prime Minister's Press Office