Page 63 - GEORptOct22

Georgian blueberry suppliers ‘have global ambitions’
Georgian hazelnut exports up 28% in six months
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.
Wrote horti daily: “The up-and-coming country supplier presents a great opportunity for UK buyers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers to strengthen their sourcing of quality blueberries from around the world. “According to data provided by the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), berries overall rank second among the top five fresh fruits imported into the UK; growing 7 percent in volume terms per annum between 2011 and 2020. Blueberries represent the second-biggest berry category in the UK currently, after strawberries.”
Georgia has exported 18,400 tonnes of hazelnuts between August 1, 2021, and January 23, 2022, a 28% increase compared to the same period of last year, the Georgian Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection announced.
The exports generated $84.5mn in revenue, an $8.3mn increase year-on-year. The export price of hazelnuts increased by 11% compared to the same period of last year.
The top destinations for Georgian hazelnuts were Italy (7,621 tonnes), Germany (3,533 tonnes), Spain (522 tonnes) and Czechia (467 tonnes). Despite the growth in aggregate numbers, Georgia has faced other problems with its hazelnut exports in recent months. In October, it was reported that Georgia’s hazelnut exports for that month were up 9% y/y, but that quality issues had led to a high number of shipments being rejected at EU borders. This occurred 19 times in only three months (from August 1 to October 31) as a result of quality issues – a sharp increase from eight total rejections in the 2020 hazelnut season (from August 2020 to July 2021).
9.1.10 TMT sector news
At Davos Georgian PM invites US tech company Ripple to set up service centre
At a meeting, Garibashvili promoted what he said were the favourable market conditions in Georgia for the development of digital assets and highlighted the country's "favourable investment environment and strategic location", the Georgian government said.
Georgia boasts young, experienced and competitive human capital, according to Garibashvili, and is evolving into a global and regional multifunctional hub for financial services as well as technical and innovative industries.
At the meeting, Garibashvili also noted his government has devised a draft legal framework for the regulation of virtual assets. The bill will be discussed with various stakeholders before its submission to parliament, with drafting
63 GEORGIA Country Report October 2022 www.intellinews.com