Georgia’s apple growers delivered their strongest export performance yet in 2025 with total shipments soaring to historic levels, official data shows. Georgia exported about 20.6 thousand tons of apples worth $14 million last year, marking a new record in volume and value for the sector, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Nearly all of this fruit went to the Russian market, highlighting Georgia’s deep trading link with its northern neighbor.
The surge underscores both the opportunities and risks facing Georgian agriculture as the country seeks wider access to global markets.
Apple Exports Surpass Expectations in 2025
Georgia’s apple exports reached roughly 20,616.9 metric tons in 2025, a record-breaking figure driven by strong demand abroad, official statistics analyzed by news agencies show.
Russia took the lion’s share of the apples with about 19,547.3 tons shipped there, more than double the volume supplied in 2024 — a 2.3 times increase year-on-year.
The export success for apples is remarkable on two fronts:
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It surpasses the previous high from 2021, when Georgia shipped 15,100 tons of apples to foreign markets.
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It reflects significant agricultural production and increased competitiveness, even as global markets remain competitive and complex.
Domestic producers and exporters have expressed pride in the achievement. At the same time, economists point to the concentration of exports primarily to one partner as both a challenge and an opportunity for strategic planning.
Russia Remains the Main Buyer by Far
The Russian market accounted for roughly 95 into 96 of Georgia’s apple exports in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and analyzed news sources.
In dollar terms, Georgia’s apple shipments to Russia brought in approximately $12.9 million, compared to about $5.6 million a year earlier — an increase propelled by strong demand and rising prices.
Smaller quantities of Georgian apples also reached neighbouring and regional markets in:
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Turkey
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Armenia
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Belarus
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Kazakhstan
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Iraq
However, none of these destinations approaches Russia’s scale of imports, which presents a dual-edged outcome for Georgia: strong export growth but high dependence on a single market.
Broader Agro Exports and Georgia’s Economy
Apples are only one piece of Georgia’s broader agricultural export success story. According to the Ministry of Agriculture:
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The total export value of Georgia’s agricultural products exceeded $1.8 billion in 2025, up nearly 10 compared to 2024.
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Major markets for Georgian farm products include Russia ($700.7 million), China ($301.9 million) and Turkey ($298.8 million), among others.
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Bulgaria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the United States and Kazakhstan round out the top destinations for Georgian agricultural exports.
Agriculture remains an essential sector in Georgia’s broader economy, involving a significant share of rural jobs and land use. Despite progress in recent years, the industry continues to balance export ambitions with infrastructure and regulatory challenges.
Calls Grow for Export Diversification
Experts and government officials alike acknowledge that Georgia’s strong export figures are encouraging. Yet the high concentration of apple exports to Russia presents a long-term risk, especially amid shifting global demand patterns and political uncertainty.
The Ministry of Agriculture has emphasized the need for Georgia to diversify its export markets and reduce reliance on a single destination. Countries identified as promising alternative markets include:
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Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East
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Egypt and other North African states
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India
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Central Asian countries
Expanding into these regions could help Georgia capture higher export values while spreading risk across different trading partners.
However, entering new markets poses challenges. Georgian exporters must meet strict phytosanitary and quality standards, comply with specific logistics and certification requirements, and build direct business relationships with overseas buyers.
Government Support and Future Prospects
The Georgian government has outlined several measures to support agricultural exporters as they pursue new market opportunities:
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Improvement of phytosanitary inspection systems to ease compliance with foreign standards
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Supporting trade agreements that reduce barriers for Georgian produce
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Providing exporters with updated market information and resources
These efforts are aimed at helping farmers and exporters grow beyond traditional partners and expand into regions with rising demand for fresh fruit.
Despite the ambitious goals, Georgia’s export agenda also wrestles with broader global trends. Rising transportation costs, competition from established producers, and evolving food safety standards in key markets will shape how quickly Georgian apples — and other agricultural products — can secure lasting positions abroad.
Georgia’s 2025 apple export milestone highlights both the strengths of its agricultural sector and the urgent need for strategic diversification to ensure that future successes are sustainable as global markets evolve.
