Georgia, Tbilisi, March 3 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
By late 2011, an olive plantation will be laid out on an area of 500 hectares in Georgia. Olive oil produced in Georgia can be exported in the future, Agriculture Minister Bakur Kvezereli said.
"This year, the plantation will be laid out on approximately an area of 500 hectares, and accordingly it will attract additional investments, as investors do not yet know that Georgia's climatic conditions are favorable for olive cultivation," he said.
The minister said in addition to Turkish investors, Israeli businessmen are also interested in the olive business in Georgia. However, he noted that Georgian investments will also be made in this business.
"Our goal is to produce new export products. It is also expected to produce blueberries, almonds, olives, pomegranates and kiwi on plantations. Along with our main export products - wine, nuts and citrus - we will be able to export olives and almonds, and other products," the minister said.
Last year, the Turkish company Geolive showed an interest in olive cultivation in the Signagi region.