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.

December 12th, 2019, https://commersant.ge/en/post/georgia-decreases-natural-milk-production

Georgian milk production is on the decline is expected to continue to decline, especially as rules designed to encourage more milk production (i.e. legislation requiring that dairy products made with milk powder be labeled as such) as largely unfollowed. The problem is two-fold. On the one hand, dairy products are often produced in small home workshops that are not controlled. At the same time, the number of cattle in the country is on the decline and now amounts to only 902,100 head, lead to a drop of 4.8% in raw milk production since 2016.

For the situation to change, farms must be enlarged to the point where raw milk production become economically viable and a more profitable solution than the use of imported powdered milk.

17) Georgia, China sign memorandum to develop tobacco and tea in Adjara

December 18th, 2019, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3468

Georgia and China have signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to develop tobacco and tea businesses in Georgia Black Sea region of Adjara. The memorandum seeks to take advantage of the previously-signed Free Trade Agreement between the two countries and encourage foreign investment in Georgia’s agricultural sector.

18) Georgian fruit and nut exports up 4.4%

December 18th, 2019, http://bizzone.info/agriculture/2019/1576709000.php

According to the National Statistics Service, Georgia exports USD 78.9 million worth of fruits and nuts during the January-October period of this year, a year-on-year increase of 4.4%. At the same time, the share of fruits and nuts in total exports amounted to 2.6%. The main fruit and nut exports were: hazelnuts (USD 42.3 million), peaches (USD 12.5 million), bananas (USD 4.8 million), apples (USD 4.5 million), persimmons (USD 2.3 million), mandarins (USD 2.2 million), pistachios (USD 1.4 million) and walnuts (USD 1.3 million).

19) American expert presents information on growing wine exports to the US

December 18th, 2019, http://georgianwine.gov.ge/En/News/32705

An expert from the American marketing company Mark Energy has met with representatives of about 60 Georgian wine companies at the National Wine Agency to present information on the US wine market, including fundamental steps necessary for Georgian wine producers to take to build a long-term sustainable plan for the US market. The presentation was important for Georgian wine producers as the National Wine Agency considers the US a strategic market and hopes to intensify exports to the country in 2020.

Georgia wine is growing in popularity in the US, as evidenced by 660,000 bottles of wine being exported to the US over the first 11 months of this year (a 48% year-on-year increase).

20) Tangerine exports up 6.2%

December 20th, 2019, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/3494

From the middle of October through the middle of December, Georgian tangerine exports amounted to 21,300 tons, a 6.2% increase year-on-year. The increase in exports is largely due to new markets

(Lithuania, Qatar, Singapore and Slovenia) opening up. The leading importers of Georgian tangerines are: Russia (13,075 tons), Ukraine (4,047 tons) and (3,333 tons).

21) USD 54.76 million in hazelnut exports so far this year

December 20th, 2019, https://bm.ge/en/article/hazelnut-export-from-georgia-is-increased-in-11m-of-2019/45665/

Over the first 11 months of 2019, 10,879 tons of hazelnuts were exported from Georgia, including 2,391 tons of unshelled nuts and 8,488 tons of shelled nuts. The total export value amounts to USD 54.76 million, 8.6% more year-on-year. Georgian hazelnut production and exports have fallen sharply in recent years due to damage caused by the brown marmorated stink bug and various fungal diseases; however, the hazelnut production and exports appear to be slowly recovering.

22) Average Georgian citrus production and export levels

December 23rd, 2019, https://bm.ge/en/article/how-much-does-georgia-get-from-citrus-export--statistics-/45804/

According to official data, 60,000-65,000 tons of citrus is harvested in Georgia annually, with annual citrus exports reaching 24,000-28,000 tons. Statistics show that the value of citrus exported from Georgia varies from year to year; however, the value of exports averages approximately USD 13 million annually. In 2018, the value of citrus exports was USD 14.8 million.

23) Honey exports on the decline

December 25th, 2019, https://bm.ge/en/article/honey-export-decreased-within-11m-in-2019-/45956/

During the January-November 2019 period, 6.4 tons of honey was exported to more than 15 countries, amounting to USD 56,200. In terms of value, this represents an 18.2% year-on-year decline. It should be noted that honey exports have been on a steady decline since 2015, with the exception of last year.

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.