Tea market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Georgia's tea market volume expanded from 2.3 thousand tons to 3.1 thousand tons, while its value increased from 8.3 million to 10.7 million US dollars. Domestic production rose steadily until 2021, reaching 2.9 thousand tons, before declining in the following years. The market was supported by substantial imports, which fluctuated between 2.3 and 2.9 thousand tons annually.

Tea exports peaked in 2021 at 2.4 thousand tons but fell sharply to 1.5 thousand tons in 2023. Despite this contraction, local processors announced plans to increase production capacity and target new export markets, including Mongolia. Production volumes had previously grown from 1.7 thousand tons in 2018 to a high of 2.9 thousand tons in 2021, indicating earlier investment in output.

In 2024, the Georgian market saw the planned introduction of a new locally produced cold tea by Iberia Refreshments, Pepsi's representative in the country. At the same time, rising international demand for certified tea, particularly in Europe where food-safety and environmental standards are tightening, began influencing trade flows and producer strategies.

Production tea in Georgia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

Georgia's tea production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 400 tonnes of tea, marking a significant 20.0% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.3%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 700 tonnes, when output fell by 26.1%—the largest decline during this timeframe.

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

Exports tea from Georgia

Exports in kind, t

Georgia's tea exports have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 2 374 tonnes of tea, up by 13.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The export volume hit its lowest point in 2018 at 2 058 tonnes, which represented a 9.4% drop—the steepest decline observed.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mongolia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan were consistently the top destinations for Georgia's tea exports by volume. Mongolia accounted for 32.5% of exports, Turkey for 16.1%, and Kazakhstan for 11.7%. Together, these three countries made up 60.3% of total export flows during this period.

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 tea export value has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 5 153 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 17.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value surged by 113.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 28.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Mongolia formed the core of Georgia's tea exports by value. Azerbaijan led with 36.6% of exports, followed by Turkey at 24.1%, and Mongolia at 10.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 70.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports tea to Georgia

Imports in kind, t

Georgia imported 2 936 tonnes of tea in 2020, a 17.7% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 12%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The import volume was at its lowest in 2019 at 2 496 tonnes, when it decreased by 7.3%—the largest decline in this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Sri Lanka dominated Georgia's tea imports by volume. Turkey contributed 37.5% of imports, Azerbaijan 23.8%, and Sri Lanka 15.0%. Together, these three sources represented 76.3% 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

Georgia's tea import value has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 10 454 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest rise of 7.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 38.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Sri Lanka were the primary sources for Georgia's tea imports by value. Azerbaijan accounted for 43.0% of imports, Russia for 19.6%, and Sri Lanka for 18.2%. In total, these three countries made up 80.7% of import value during these years.

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

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