At the 44th session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference in Rome, Georgia’s Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Davit Songulashvili, spotlighted the country's ancient winemaking heritage and record-breaking agri-food exports as central pillars of its agricultural development strategy.

Addressing representatives from 194 member nations and nearly 50 ministers, Songulashvili underscored Georgia’s unique positioning in global agriculture through its emphasis on quality and tradition rather than mass production.

“Georgia holds a special place as the recognised birthplace of wine worldwide, with an 8,000-year uninterrupted tradition of winemaking,” he stated. He also noted the continued use of the traditional kvevri winemaking method—an earthenware fermentation technique that has earned UNESCO recognition for its cultural significance.

The minister announced that Georgia’s agri-food exports reached a record high of USD 1.68 billion in 2024, marking consistent growth in both production volume and value-added products over the past decade.

“Our strategy focuses on niche and premium products to differentiate Georgian goods globally, instead of competing with large-scale producers,” Songulashvili explained.

The FAO conference emphasized the global outlook on agri-food systems and the importance of international collaboration. Songulashvili reiterated Georgia’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the FAO and member countries, particularly in the areas of climate-smart agriculture, technological advancement, and knowledge-driven development.

The Ministry noted that Georgia’s long-standing partnership with the FAO has led to impactful initiatives in food safety, climate-resilient agriculture, and inclusive growth.

Deputy Minister Lasha Dolidze accompanied Songulashvili during the high-level discussions in Rome.