Page 53 - GEORptAug22

insurance.
Insurers' paid claims expanded by almost 26% to GEL 194.19mn. In terms of segments, the largest amount of paid claims fell on health insurance - almost GEL 105mn.
Out of 18 companies operating in the Georgian insurance market, GPI Holding continued to lead (GEL 86.11mn of GWP), Aldagi ranked second, while Imedi L and TBC Insurance swapped places, with Imedi L falling to fourth and TBC Insurance moving up to third.
9.1.9 Agriculture sector news
Georgia expects significant boost in wine exports to US
Georgia to ban export of wheat and barley for a year
Georgian blueberry suppliers ‘have global ambitions’
Georgian Minister of Agriculture Otar Shamugia expects a significant increase in wine exports to the US.
According to Shamugia, his ministry spends around GEL12mn ($4mn) on the promotion of Georgian wine, and these funds were directed to predetermined priority markets, including the US. After a cabinet meeting, Shamugia said that the amount allocated for wine promotion would increase in upcoming years. "We agreed with the importers and our embassy that we will work together in a coordinated effort to organise such events to promote and raise awareness of our wine in this market. We also have an agreement with this company [Colangelo and Partners] for during the vintage period, together with representatives of the American media," said the minister, adding that they would organise a tour, which would be covered in the US media. "This will be another step in promoting our wine", he concluded.
In 2022 to date, Georgia has exported $2mn worth of wine to the US. Wine exports to the US exceeded one million bottles in 2021. In 2021, total sales of Georgian wine abroad generated $250mn.
The Georgian government will ban the export of wheat and barley for a year starting from July 4, 2022. The decree has already been signed by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and shared on the official Facebook page. The reason is the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to Minister of Environment and Agriculture Otar Shamugia, "given the situation in the region, it is important to sell locally produced wheat and barley only on the domestic market to ensure food security", he said. According to him, despite the fact that Georgia is completely dependent on wheat imports (500,000 tonnes of wheat per year) and wheat cannot be exported from Georgia due to low production, “the current situation creates a risk that a certain amount of wheat may be exported for export".
As for barley, according to the ministry, the barley produced in the country is exported to Iraq and Iran, but it is important that "at this stage" it be sold only on the local market. According to the ministry, the forecasted barley harvest for 2022 fluctuates around 60,000 tonnes, of which more than 2,500 tonnes have already been exported. At this stage, restrictions do not apply to corn exports.
Georgian blueberry suppliers believe they possess the potential to become a significant global player thanks to modernisation and expansion efforts in blueberry production and export, according to horti daily.
By 2024, over 1,500 hectares of blueberries will be in full production in Georgia, according to growers, with the planted area garnering a minimum of 15,000 tonnes of fresh blueberries every year, the trade media outlet reported. The developments might be especially of interest to blueberry buyers in the UK, where blueberries remain the fastest growing berry in the market.
53 GEORGIA Country Report August 2022 www.intellinews.com