FAO Relaunched EU and Sweden-Funded Support Package for Georgia’s Hazelnut Sector

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the support of the European Union and Sweden under ENPARD IV, has relaunched a matching grant scheme to help small and medium-sized hazelnut producers in Georgia strengthen food safety practices and improve product quality.

Building on previous support to the sector, the initiative focuses on improving post-harvest handling – a critical stage where inadequate drying and storage conditions can lead to aflatoxin contamination, resulting in an unmarketable final product and substantial financial losses for producers.

The grants target producers in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Guria, Kakheti, Adjara and Imereti, who have already successfully completed FAO-supported training sessions on hazelnut production, food safety, and post-harvest management.

By linking technical knowledge with financial support, the scheme enables farmers to translate improved practices into tangible investments. Selected applicants will receive co-funding to acquire modern equipment essential for safe and efficient post-harvest operations.

FAO donors will cover 70 per cent of the investment cost, while beneficiaries will contribute the remaining 30 per cent.

Eligible applicants must own or manage between 0.5 and 30 hectares of hazelnut orchards, hold a registered legal status, and meet additional technical and compliance requirements.

Available equipment includes vertical hazelnut dryers, conveyor belts, vertical elevators, destoners (stone and heavy impurity separator) and hazelnut cleaning tables. This equipment is selected to support improved drying processes and reduce contamination risks.

“This initiative builds on the progress already made with hazelnut producers across Georgia,” said Guido Agostinucci, FAO ENPARD IV Programme Manager. “By supporting farmers who have already strengthened their knowledge, we are now enabling them to invest in practical solutions that improve food safety, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance their competitiveness.”

“The European Union is committed to empowering Georgian farmers to meet high-quality standards and protect consumers through affordable modern equipment and advanced post-harvest practices,” said Denis Reiss, Programme Officer for Sustainable Food Systems at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia. “With the EU accounting for 70 % of Georgia’s hazelnut volume exports, these investments are crucial to secure Georgia’s market shares and keep their reputation in Europe.”

In 2025, 22 hazelnut producers across Georgia were supported through the dedicated matching grant scheme, enabling them to invest in modern equipment that improved drying efficiency, reduced the risk of aflatoxin contamination, and enhanced overall product quality. Supported by the EU and Sweden, these investments help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, increase the marketability of their produce, and strengthen their incomes. The relaunch of the programme aims to expand this impact and reach more farmers in need of targeted support.

How to apply

More information on the application process is available here.

For additional information, applicants can contact FAO at: [email protected]

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About the European Union:

For more than 30 years, the EU has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and the citizens of Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth. More about the EU’s support in Georgia: https://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/

About ENPARD:

The EU supports rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Aiming to reduce rural poverty, ENPARD has been implemented since 2013. The Programme started by supporting the development of the national agriculture potential. Subsequently, it also concentrated on creating economic opportunities for rural populations in Georgia. Since 2021, the Programme has also been working to improve food safety in the country, with additional support from Sweden, and FAO and the Czech Development Agency as the main implementers of this food safety component under ENPARD IV.