Page 57 - GEORptJun22

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
Georgian blueberry suppliers ‘have global ambitions’
Georgian hazelnut exports up 28% in six months
Georgian wine exports hit nine-year high in 2021
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).
Georgia’s wine exports in 2021 marked a nine-year high for the country, according to reports citing new statistics.
Georgia exported about 107mn bottles of wine to 62 countries in 2021, the government revealed on January 17.
Sales of Georgian wine abroad generated $250mn last year, with a total of 441 companies exporting the product to various countries.
The figure contrasts with as few as 100 companies selling wine abroad in 2012.
57 GEORGIA Country Report June 2022 www.intellinews.com