BFC. Georgian Agriculture Finance Bulletin. Edition #88, December 2019
Private Sector 12) Livestock numbers on the decline December 3rd, 2019, https://sputnik-georgia.ru/infographics/20191203/247155769/Zhivotnovodstvo-v-Georgia.html
The number of livestock in Georgia are decreasing. According to the National Statistics Service, the number of cattle in the country is now 902,100, down 3.7% over last year. The number of pigs and sheep have also declined, by 8.8% and 7.3% respectively. There was also a recorded 3.7% decline in the productivity of poultry farms.
13) Two new exotic agricultural products to be cultivated next year December 5th, 2019, http://geotimes.ge/index.php?m=5&news_id=71621&cat_id=5
Loladzes Farms is exploring the possibility of growing two new exotic agricultural products – okra and pepinos – in the Kakheti region. Neither has appeared in the Georgian market before and presents an intriguing opportunity for Georgian producers to diversify their product offering and increase their influence in niche markets. Okra is a pepper-like vegetable that is especially useful for people with diabetes and also burns fat and lowers cholesterol. Pepino is an aromatic and sweetish seedless fruit that can ben eaten raw or boiled or roasted.
14) Wine exports up 10% December 5th, 2019, http://georgianwine.gov.ge/En/News/32702
For the period of January-October 2019, Georgia exports 86 million bottles of wine to 53 countries, a 10% year-on-year increase. In monetary terms, this amounted to USD 220 million, a 20% year-on-year increase. The top four countries importing Georgia wine during this period were: Russia (53.9 million bottles), Ukraine (8.3 million bottles), China (6.3 million bottles) and Poland (3.7 million bottles). Georgia also exported 24.8 million bottles of brandy to 24 countries during the same period, a 60% yearon-year increase. In monetary terms, this amounted to USD 60.7 million, a 63% year-on-year increase. In total, exports of wine, brandy and vodka amounted to USD 325 million during this period, an increase of 15% year-on-year.
15) Tangerine harvest expected to reach 55,000 tons December 10th, 2019, http://geotimes.ge/index.php?m=5&news_id=71760&cat_id=5
Georgia’s tangerine harvest is well under way, with this year’s harvest expected to reach 55,000 tons. The main region for tangerine production in Georgia is Ajara, which is home to more than 25 companies that are engaged in activities related to the storage and processing of tangerines (including 14 dedicated to export activities). A coordination center serving tangerine farmers and processing factories opened in the region in October in order to facilitate the storage of the fruit as well as the distribution of state subsidiaries to farmers growing tangerines. The center will work until February 1, 2020. Georgian tangerines are expected to get a higher market price this year due to Georgia’s increasing reputation as a quality producer of the fruit. Additionally, Georgian tangerine producers are expected to benefit from a more diversified export market, with four new markets (Lithuania, Qatar, Singapore and Slovenia) opening this year.
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