Hazelnut Exporters and Processors Association of Georgia (Hereafter, “HEPA”) was established in 2013 by the initiative and support of USAID programme – Economic Prosperity Initiative (EPI). The association brings together 30 companies in the hazelnut processing sector. The Association is the only institution in Georgia, that unites processor and exporter companies and represents the hazelnut sector at large scale.
Hazelnut is one of the major agricultural products of the country and Georgia is in the top five world hazelnut exporters. According to the Statistics Office of Georgia, hazelnut export is in one of the leading position in agricultural commodity groups. The hazelnut sector is one of the major and promising sectors for agriculture and economics of the country.
The mission of HEPA is to promote the hazelnut sector on the local, as well as on international level, to assist Association members in identifying and solving tax, financial and legal issues, offering special trainings to increase quality of nuts, competitiveness and support members in marketing and sales issues. Besides said, HEPA informs and educates exporters regarding market information and closely works with governmental agencies, donors and financial institutions to ensure effective operation and implementation of its responsibilities.