In the sun-drenched region around Telavi, against the majestic backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains, Georgian Walnut Enterprise is carving out its place as a key walnut grower. Walnuts are deeply rooted in Georgia's culinary heritage, and with harvest volumes set to rise steadily, exports are expected to follow the same upward trend.

"We planted our first orchard in 2015," says Giorgi Meskhidze, co-founder of the company. "Forty hectares. And every year since, we've added another forty." Today, their orchards span an impressive 230 hectares, making it one of the country's largest walnut plantations.

The first commercial harvest came in 2020, yielding nearly 100 tons. "Last year we reached 400 tons," Giorgi notes. "This year, we're aiming for 800, and in three years we hope to hit 1,200 tons." Their target is clear: a consistent average yield of 5 to 6 tons per hectare.

Georgian Walnut Enterprise exclusively cultivates the Chandler variety. "It's all about the quality," Giorgi explains. "High oil content and excellent flavor. But Chandler does taste slightly different depending on the growing region—even within Georgia, you notice subtle distinctions." Located near Telavi, with panoramic views of the high Caucasus, the company was the first in the country to plant Chandler walnuts on a commercial scale.

Rising interest and global competition
Last year, 40% of the harvest was exported to destinations including Greece, Cyprus, the UAE, and Albania. Interest from India—especially Mumbai—is also growing. "We attend five international trade fairs each year: in Madrid, Berlin, Tokyo, France, and the UAE," says Giorgi. Still, global competition is fierce, particularly from the US and Chile.

"The Middle Eastern market is hotly contested. We ship to the UAE in 20-foot reefer containers. Normally, that journey takes 25 days, but geopolitical disruptions meant one shipment last year took as long as 90 days." While shipments to Greece go by sea, road transport is more efficient for Western Europe, taking just ten days. For export, only premium quality makes the cut: pale nuts, naturally light, not chemically bleached like some from the US.

Washing and sorting
Since 2020, the company has operated a state-of-the-art processing facility equipped with Spanish Obreo machines. "Spain is leading in walnut processing," says Giorgi. "Thanks to government subsidies and support from USAID, we were able to invest in both cultivation and processing."

The nuts are thoroughly washed, leaves, stones, and other debris removed, then dried with warm air at 30 to 36°C. "Depending on the moisture content, drying can take anywhere from 10 to 40 hours," Giorgi says. "Small growers often rely on sun drying, but that's much less reliable."

Once dry, the nuts are sorted by size: 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, and 38+. That final category—just 1% of the harvest—commands the highest price. The nuts are then packed in 10-kilo bags. "Ninety percent of the crop is sold in-shell," Giorgi adds. "The rest we shell ourselves, offering halves or quarters for the local market."

Zero waste philosophy
Even the walnut shells don't go to waste. "We sell them to a factory that turns them into pellets and briquettes, ideal for stoves and industrial furnaces." While some processors buy from other growers to maximize capacity, Georgian Walnut Enterprise prefers to expand its own acreage. "Quality is everything," Giorgi emphasizes. "With outside suppliers, you can't always guarantee consistency, especially when it comes to residue levels."

Weather challenges
According to crop manager Misha Abashidze, hail is the walnut tree's biggest threat. "Netting is not an option—the trees are too tall and the fields too expansive." In 2021, a ten-minute hailstorm in August wiped out the entire crop. Hail cannons are in use, but they're far from foolproof.

Rain during harvest season can also be problematic. "Dry weather is ideal," Misha explains. "Harvesting takes 20 to 30 days. We shake the trees, line up the fallen nuts, then collect them with machines."

During summer, the trees need a lot of water. "The rest of the year, irrigation isn't essential," says Misha. "Fortunately, we're never short: we have a deep well that produces thousands of liters daily, just of its own, thanks to underground pressure fed by glacial meltwater from the Caucasus." To irrigate efficiently, they monitor leaf pressure, an accurate indicator of the tree's water needs.

Rising demand
Global demand for quality walnuts is on the rise. "Partly because production in California is declining due to water shortages," Giorgi notes. "China is increasing acreage, but the quality isn't on par with ours." Chile is a more serious competitor. "They also grow high-quality Chandler, but we have a strategic edge: our harvest happens in October, just two months before the holiday season. Chile harvests in March and April, which makes timing less favorable for key markets."

Georgian Walnut Enterprise focuses on retail partnerships. "We usually finalize contracts in September, just before the harvest," says Giorgi. "We also invest heavily in market research. Abroad, we still see walnuts on the shelves that are black, undersized, or lack flavor. We want to offer something better." Georgian walnuts are priced on par with Chilean ones—about a dollar more per kilo than American products.

Strength in numbers
Currently, Georgia has three walnut packing stations. The facility at Georgian Walnut Enterprise has a 1,200-ton capacity. "That's not enough to supply a major European retailer on our own," Giorgi admits. "That's why we're looking to team up with other Georgian growers. Only together can we guarantee a steady and reliable supply."

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com