Russia’s imports of Georgian wine reach $13.9 million in June
Russia imported $13.9 million worth of Georgian wine in June 2026, up 27% from May and the highest monthly value since December 2025. Despite the June rise, first-half imports declined to $69.9 million from $72.8 million a year earlier.
June imports climb 27%
Russia imported $13.9 million worth of Georgian wine in June 2026, an increase of 27% from the previous month, Lenta.ru reported, citing a RIA Novosti review of data from Georgia’s statistics service. The monthly value was the highest recorded on this trade route since December 2025.
Imports had totaled $10.9 million in May, meaning the value of shipments increased by $3 million within one month. The figures supplied in the report measure trade in monetary terms and do not specify shipment volumes, wine categories or changes in average import prices. It is therefore unclear how much of the increase came from larger physical deliveries and how much reflected the value or composition of the wine purchased.
Russia remains Georgia’s largest buyer
The June result kept Russia in first place among buyers of Georgian wine. Poland ranked second, importing $1.5 million worth, while Ukraine purchased $1.3 million. Russia’s monthly purchases were consequently more than nine times the value reported for Poland and more than ten times the value recorded for Ukraine.
This gap shows the scale of Georgia’s exposure to Russian demand. Changes in purchasing by Russian importers can have a much greater effect on Georgian wineries and distributors than movements in the other markets named in the data. The June acceleration may support sales and cash flow for suppliers serving Russia, although a single monthly increase does not establish a sustained expansion.
First-half purchases remain below 2025
The stronger June figure did not reverse the decline recorded over the full first half. Russia imported $69.9 million of Georgian wine during the first six months of 2026, compared with $72.8 million in the corresponding period of 2025. That represents a decrease of $2.9 million, or about 4%, based on the reported values.
The comparison indicates that imports were weaker earlier in 2026 before recovering in June. June alone accounted for almost one-fifth of the first-half import value. For producers and traders, the next several months will determine whether the increase reflects renewed demand or primarily the timing of orders and deliveries.
Supplier mix has widened since European exits
Russia’s wine supply market has changed following the departure of European suppliers. According to the Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia, their positions have been taken by suppliers from South Africa, Serbia, Georgia, China and Brazil. The association identified South Africa as the most promising of these origins, while describing Georgia as both a past and continuing key supplier.
Georgia therefore combines a strong position in Russia with significant dependence on that market. The June data confirm that Russian buyers remain central to Georgian wine sales, but the first-half decline adds a note of caution. Importers will be watching whether orders continue at June’s level, while Georgian producers must assess demand in Russia alongside opportunities to develop smaller destinations such as Poland and Ukraine.
