Apr 11, 2022

Georgia apple assessment approved; wine/grape check-off fails

Georgia apple producers recently voted to continue the Georgia Apple Commission Marketing Order for an additional three years. The new marketing order will allow the assessment rate to be changed from the current two cents per marketed bushel to a range of two to four cents per marketed bushel.

The final rate will be established by the five members of the Georgia Apple Commission prior to each season and will become effective upon notification to the applicable producers.

Established by the General Assembly in 1962, the Georgia Apple Commission is one of the oldest Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commissions. Funds collected by the commission are used for education, promotion and research on topics or areas pertaining to apples.

The continuation of marketing orders is voted on every three years.

Georgia wine producers recently voted against implementing a marketing order that would create an assessment on all taxable wine produced by licensed Georgia wineries. Georgia wine producers would have paid the assessment.

Of the 58% of the eligible growers who voted between Feb. 8 and March 9, only 38% voted in favor of the marketing order. The order would have allowed the Georgia Wine & Grape Commission to assess wine produced by licensed Georgia wineries at a rate between 5 and 20 cents per taxable liter. The final rate would have been set by the members on the commission after establishing budgetary goals and priorities for the funds. The assessment would have been effective upon notification to the licensed wine producers.

The Georgia Wine & Grape Commission, which was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 2019 at the request of the Georgia wine industry, proposed the marketing order to raise funds for research on grape and wine issues and promote Georgia wines.

If the commission desires, it can attempt to pass a marketing order again in twelve months.

– Georgia Department of Agriculture