Private Sector

more than 40 demonstration plots established in various regions of the country, providing hands-on learning experiences.

The trainings were supported by the European Union (EU), under the ENPARD program.

10) New Study on Freshwater Aquaculture

January 25th, 2021, https://mepa.gov.ge/En/News/Details/20211

The Ministry of Agriculture and the European Union (EU) Delegation to Georgia are launching a study to analyze the potential of freshwater aquaculture value chains in Georgia. The study, part of the Value Chain Analysis for Development Project, will help in the creation of a new strategy for the development and sustainable growth of freshwater aquaculture, which is seen as an important sector to boost local value chain development and diversification as well as increase Georgia’s overall food security.

Private Sector

11) 10 Tons of Georgian Honey Imported into Italy in 2020

December 30th, 2020, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/4066

In recent years, Georgia’s honey sector has been actively working to improve its facilities and capacity to provide safe, high-quality honey to world markets. In late 2016, the European Commission (EC) made the decision to allow Georgian honey to be imported into the European Union (EU). This has resulted in 10 tons of Georgian honey being imported into Italy last year. Georgia hopes that this is just a small step along the development path of its honey sector.

12) 15% Increase in Fruit and Nut Exports

December 30th, 2020, https://bm.ge/en/article/top-exported-fruits-from-georgia/72574/

Between January 2020 and November 2020, Georgia exported 94,667 tons of fruit and nuts (worth USD 140 million), a 15% year-on-year increase. The top items exported from this category were hazelnuts (13,942 tons worth USD 79 million), peaches (25,398 tons worth USD 21 million), tangerines (14,340 tons worth USD 7.5 million) and persimmons (8,908 tons worth USD 4.8 million). The top importing countries were Germany and Russia.

13) Georgia’s Potential to Become Top-25 Blueberry Exporter

January 6th, 2021, https://commersant.ge/en/post/georgia-will-be-among-the-25-largest-exporters-of-blueberries-in-2021

According to a new forecast from the EastFruit website, Georgia’s blueberry exports could reach 5,000 tons by 2023. This forecast is based on the area of blueberry plantations in the country (1,000 hectares) as well as the fact that blueberry production is growing in popularity.

In 2020, Georgia produced 750 tons of blueberries, exporting 665 tons of them. Barring any serious weather anomalies, Georgia is expected to produce 1,300–1,500 tons of blueberries this year, which will likely make it one of the 25 largest blueberry exporters in the world.

14) Milk and Cheese Prices Up 11.3%

January 6th, 2021, https://commersant.ge/en/post/milk-and-dairy-products-prices-rose-119

According to the National Statistical Office, the prices of milk and cheese experienced a year-on-year increase of 11.3% in December 2020. Compared to November 2020, prices rose 4.2%.

15) 2020 a Successful Year for Georgia’s Horticultural Sector

January 14th, 2021, https://commersant.ge/en/post/eastfruit-2020-was

According to EastFruit, 2020 was an overall successful year for the Georgian horticultural sector, with production volumes, for the most part, significantly higher than in 2019 and exports reaching record levels. In fact, preliminary estimates indicate that revenue from the fruit and vegetable sector may reach as much as USD 185 million, a 40% year-on-year increase. The largest export breakthroughs in terms of revenue were with hazelnuts, peaches, nectarines, mandarins, persimmons, blueberries, other berries, oranges and plums.

Experts believe that the success of 2020 can be used as a springboard to further development in 2021, particularly in the establishment of new markets and the stabilization of particular sectors.

16) Packaging Issue Puts a Halt to Apple Exports

January 15th, 2021, https://commersant.ge/en/post/packaging-issues-prevented

Tiriphoni Gardens, Kvarkhiti Agro and AgroGori have yet to begin the export of apples despite good harvests due to a packaging issue. In particular, they have been unable to procure the packaging materials necessary (corrugated cardboard boxes with a waterproof layer and alveolar inserts) for international transport at a reasonable price. This issue has prevented the companies from properly presenting products globally and completing export requests to Colombia, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, Russia and Thailand. The companies have been able to transport to domestic markets, using plastic packaging not suitable for international transport. Once the packaging issue can be resolved, the companies plan to continue to promote their products both domestically and internationally.

17) Tangerine Exports Up 22%

January 18th, 2021, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/128

In the last six months, exports of tangerines have amounted to 35,400 tons (a 22% year-on-year increase), worth USD 17.3 million (a 16% year-on-year increase). The three largest importers of Georgian tangerines have been Russia (20,500 tons), Armenia (7,600 tons) and Ukraine (5,300 tons). Georgian tangerines were also exported to Azerbaijan, Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the United States.

18) Georgian Walnut Farmers Perplexed by Low Market Prices

January 21st, 2021, https://commersant.ge/en/post/low-walnut-prices-in-georgia-have-nut-growers-perplexed

Georgian walnut farmers expecting an increase in walnut prices due to frosts damaging part of the 2020 harvest are surprised by the current low walnut prices. In fact, the average prices for in-shell walnuts in Georgia are 14% lower year-on-year as of mid-January 2021. The reason for this is due to the fact that the Georgian walnut market is well integrated into the world market. Current walnut prices on the world market are at historically low levels due to a record increase in the supply of quality walnuts from the United States combined with a lack of growth (and even decline) in worldwide demand.

19) Georgian Wine Exports Since 2001 Valued at USD 1.86 billion

January 25th, 2021, https://commersant.ge/en/post/wine-exports-amounted-to-1856-billion-in-2001-2020

Georgian wine exports amounted to USD 210 million in 2020, 6.3% of total exports. Although this represents a nominal decline of USD 13 million, it is also 0.4% more in terms of total exports. Moreover, Georgia’s share of the global wine market is now 0.6%.

Since 2001, Georgia has exported USD 1.86 billion worth of wine, with the majority (60%) of that wine exported to Russia.

Prepared by Business & Finance Consulting (BFC) www.bfconsulting.com Articles are taken directly from local sources without any fact-checking; they are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Business & Finance Consulting (BFC)’s editing is limited to providing a short summary in English of the texts, highlighting the main points of the original articles. All rights reserved by the authors. BFC takes no responsibility and does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, or assume any responsibility whatsoever for the content, accuracy, and reliability, or completeness of any of the articles.