Beef and buffalo meat market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the beef and buffalo meat market in Georgia saw a decline in physical volume from 27 000 t to 22 863 t, while its value rose from 71 275 thousand US dollars to 80 835 thousand US dollars. This shift was influenced by new market entrants and assortment expansion in retail, such as by supermarket Smarti, which introduced higher-quality products and European standards, boosting the market's value in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 then disrupted supply chains, sharply reducing the physical volume, although state support for agriculture helped cushion the impact on market value.

Post-2020, the market rebounded strongly. Enhanced meat labeling and quality control systems in 2021 contributed to a slight recovery in volume to 23 069 t. A significant rise in beef, pork, and poultry production in 2022, coupled with tightened food safety controls, drove a 15.5% surge in physical volume to 26 643 t and a 14.9% jump in value to 103 446 thousand US dollars. By 2023, the growing role of supermarkets and increased demand for semi-finished meat products supported further volume growth to 28 281 t, although the market value dipped to 96 414 thousand US dollars, reflecting changes in price dynamics.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Georgia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Georgia's beef and buffalo meat production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 20 100 tons, marking a 9.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 6.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 22 900 tons, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Georgia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Georgia

Exports in kind, t

Beef and buffalo meat exports from Georgia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3 283 tons, representing a sharp rise of 192.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 6 504%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 304.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Georgia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan together accounted for 85.4% of Georgia's total beef and buffalo meat exports in volume, while the remaining exports were distributed across various other markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Georgia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Georgia's beef and buffalo meat exports have grown for the third year in a row in value terms. In 2020, exports totaled 12 459 thousand US dollars, up by 274.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 9 814.1%, with an annualized rate of 362.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Georgia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Azerbaijan was the primary market for Georgia's beef and buffalo meat exports in value, holding an 80.1% share of total flows. The rest of the export value was spread across multiple other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Georgia in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Georgia

Imports in kind, t

Beef and buffalo meat imports into Georgia have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 6 046 tons, showing a strong increase of 13.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 81.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Georgia in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, Georgia's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume were primarily sourced from Ukraine and Brazil, which together made up 86.5% of total imports. Other countries contributed smaller shares to the import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Georgia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Georgia's beef and buffalo meat imports have increased for the third year in a row in monetary terms. In 2020, imports were valued at 17 021 thousand US dollars, up by 22.4% year-on-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value rose by 74.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Georgia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine and Brazil were the leading sources for Georgia's beef and buffalo meat imports in value, accounting for a combined 82.2% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Georgia in value, 2017-2020