Potato market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Georgian potato market volume showed notable fluctuations, starting at 228.4 thousand tons. In mid-2018, a phytosanitary ban on potato imports from Turkey was implemented, reducing import flows. The following year, the market contracted to 203.4 thousand tons. Then in 2020, panic buying during the COVID-19 pandemic drove a 46.1% surge in potato imports, contributing to a market rebound to 222.4 thousand tons.

The post-pandemic period saw further adjustments. In 2021, the market volume fell to 196.0 thousand tons, coinciding with significant price instability where average potato prices first dropped 28% below pre-pandemic levels before spiking 60% within months, reflecting disrupted demand patterns linked to tourism losses and psychological pandemic effects. A continued decline brought the market to 186.4 thousand tons in 2022, followed by a recovery to 214.6 thousand tons in 2023.

Production potato in Georgia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2020, Georgia produced 208.6 thousand tons of potatoes, which represents a 7.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.8%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 237.5 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 18.0%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018, with growth of 31.9%.

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

Exports potato from Georgia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for potatoes from Georgia showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their peak in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 9.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Georgia exported 4 253 tons of potatoes, marking an 8.0% increase from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 936 tons, with the largest decline that year at 85.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Georgia's potato exports in volume terms were almost entirely directed to Azerbaijan, which accounted for 94.3% of total export flows.

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

The export market in value terms exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values peaked in 2017 and reached their minimum in 2019, showing a 5.4-fold difference. In 2020, Georgia exported potatoes worth 1 072 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 9.7% improvement from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 977 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 79.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Azerbaijan dominated Georgia's potato exports in value terms, holding an 88.1% share of total flows, while other markets collectively accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports potato to Georgia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Georgia imported 18 003 tons of potatoes, showing a sharp year-on-year increase of 42.4%. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 644 tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 18 215 tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Egypt were the key partners for Georgia's potato imports in volume terms, with shares of 59.6%, 8.6%, and 6.3%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.5% of total 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

In 2020, Georgia imported potatoes worth 3 566 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic 46.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports in value terms rose by 52.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 16.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Turkey, Germany, and the Netherlands were the main suppliers of potatoes to Georgia in value terms, with shares of 40.3%, 14.1%, and 11.7%, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 66.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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