Wheat and meslin market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin market in Georgia experienced a pronounced contraction, with volume falling from 671.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 340.8 thousand tons in 2022. This decline was driven by a sharp drop in imports, which more than halved over the period. Key global factors shaped this trend: a 3.9% decrease in world wheat production in 2019 tightened international supply and likely increased import costs for Georgia. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted global supply chains in 2021, causing significant import shortages. Subsequent shifts in international trade relations and tariffs in 2022 continued to limit import availability, compounding the market's reduction.

Domestic production provided a partial counterbalance, growing notably from 2021 onward to reach 156.8 thousand tons in 2022, aided by a recovery in global wheat output that improved supply stability. The market reversed course in 2023, expanding to 369.0 thousand tons as imports rebounded. This recovery coincided with sustained global growth in demand for wheat flour, which helped stimulate new product segments within Georgia. Concurrent fluctuations in world wheat and flour prices also played a role in shaping local consumption patterns during this stabilization phase.

Production wheat and meslin in Georgia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

In 2020, Georgia produced 102.4 K t of wheat and meslin, showing a slight increase of 1.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 107.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 6.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 9.4%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Georgia

Exports in kind, K t

Georgia's wheat and meslin exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.0 K t, reflecting a sharp contraction of 99.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 99.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 89.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Armenia accounted for almost all of Georgia's wheat and meslin exports in kind, with a share of 92.2% of total 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, M $ US

Georgia's wheat and meslin exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 0.0 M $ US, marking a dramatic drop of 98.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 99.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -86.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Armenia remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of wheat and meslin from Georgia, accounting for 92.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Georgia

Imports in kind, K t

Georgia's wheat and meslin imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 490.7 K t, representing a controlled decrease of 4.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 1.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 576.7 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 10.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 12.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports of wheat and meslin to Georgia were almost entirely tied to Russia, which accounted for 91.4% of total 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, M $ US

Georgia's wheat and meslin imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 107.8 M $ US, marking a slight decline of 1.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 114.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 5.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market structure was highly concentrated, with Russia alone responsible for 91.1% 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