Guria Nuts Cooperative

"Guria Nuts" represents one of the biggest collectives in Georgia. The Cooperative unites 97 families from 4 villages in the Lanchkhuti Municipality in Western Georgia. The main activity of its members is the primary production and processing of hazelnuts.

The cooperative "Guria Nuts" was formed in 2014 by 5 individuals and now its membership has increased to 97, providing an essential source of income for all 97 families. The cooperative members own and gain their income from hazelnut plantations. Together the Cooperative has managed to build their own processing factory in the center of the Municipality, where they collect the hazelnuts of their members, as well as farmers from surrounding villages.

This is the second loan for Cooperative Guria Nuts. The first loan was repaid successfully and in fact they even managed to repay it earlier than was expected. Despite the COVID-19 situation, the cooperative has not stopped its operations. Following the safety rules implemented by the government, they have managed to continue their operations and close the season successfully, generating income and paying out shares to its members. The reason they are requesting a second loan is to prepare for the new season. Guria Nuts would like to start hazelnut processing and sell their product to the local market. To do this they need capital to purchase hazelnuts in bulk from local farmers. They will repay this loan over 10 months but they have been given a six month grace period to enable the cooperative to start generating an income from their investment before they start repaying the loan. The first picture is of the leaders of the cooperative and in the second picture the cooperative members are receiving training on COVID-19 risk communication and protection.

If you are lending, please be aware that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic your repayments could be at greater risk of delay or default.