With shipments expanding beyond Armenia to Russia and Romania, Georgia’s humble watermelon is turning heads—but the country still imports more than it sells
Georgia’s watermelons are going places—literally.
Exports of the juicy summer staple soared by 191% in value during the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year. The shift isn’t just about volume. It’s also about reach. From selling solely to Armenia in 2024, Georgian watermelons are now finding new fans in Russia and Romania too.
That’s a big leap for a fruit that’s usually sold by the roadside.
Armenia Still Dominates, But Others Are Buying
According to fresh figures from Georgia’s National Statistics Office, the country exported 728 tons of watermelon from January to June 2025, worth $275,700. That’s up from just 329 tons and $94,600 during the same time last year.
Armenia remains the biggest buyer by far, but it’s no longer alone.
One sentence here.
Here’s how the numbers break down:
-
Armenia: 638 tons | $221,400
-
Russia: 68 tons | $39,800
-
Romania: 21 tons | $14,600
It’s not just about quantity—it’s the signal this sends. Georgian producers are now breaking into new markets, and that could be a lifeline for rural growers looking for something—anything—beyond local bazaars and short seasonal selling windows.
A Surprising Star in the Export Basket
Georgia isn’t widely known for fruit exports. Wine, sure. Hazelnuts, absolutely. But watermelon?
That’s what makes this rise so notable. It’s not driven by high-tech agriculture or export subsidies. It’s driven by old-fashioned demand and, frankly, some very sweet melons.
In the Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions, farmers say they’ve had a strong harvest and unusually warm spring. That helped kickstart earlier picking—and gave exporters a head start on competition.
One grower near Gardabani said he shipped nearly double his usual batch to Armenia. “Prices were better this year,” he added. “They paid quickly too.”
Still Importing More Than Exporting
Despite the progress, Georgia’s watermelon trade is still upside down.
In the first half of 2025, the country imported 9,560 tons, worth around $2.8 million. That’s a 23% jump from 2024. Much of that watermelon comes from Turkey and Azerbaijan, and it floods local markets in May and June before Georgia’s own harvest peaks.
That puts local farmers in a weird bind. They’re growing more. Selling more abroad. But still can’t outpace cheap imports.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
| Trade Flow | Volume (Tons) | Value (USD) | YoY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 728 | $275,700 | +191.4% |
| Imports | 9,560 | $2.8 million | +23% |
One line. That gap is still massive.
So while Georgia’s watermelon story is improving, it’s still got a long way to go before the balance tips in favor of local growers.
Why Russia and Romania Are Buying Now
It’s not entirely clear why Russian and Romanian buyers suddenly appeared this year, but trade watchers have a few theories.
-
Supply shifts: Some traditional exporters like Iran or Ukraine had poor weather this season.
-
Lower shipping costs: Regional freight has stabilized since the post-Covid chaos.
-
Word of mouth: Armenian distributors may be reselling or co-trading with Russian partners.
Romania’s demand, though small, is seen as a “foot in the door” for broader EU reach. If quality and price remain favorable, it could open opportunities in Bulgaria, Hungary, or even the Baltics.
That said, shelf life is still a challenge.
Farmers Want More Support—Not Just Headlines
Georgia’s agricultural ministry celebrated the news as a sign of “growing global trust in Georgian produce,” but farmers say the real issues are still on the ground.
Cold chain logistics? Limited. Export financing? Complicated. Quality certifications? Expensive and inconsistent.
“We’re doing this with no help,” one grower near Marneuli said. “If someone gave us a reliable buyer list or even a subsidy for packaging, we could triple our exports next year.”
And then there’s the timing. Watermelon has a short export season, and missing a two-week window can mean truckloads of rotting fruit.
That’s a risk most growers simply can’t afford.
A Symbol, Not Just a Fruit
In rural parts of Georgia, watermelon is more than just a summer treat. It’s a seasonal economy. Whole villages earn their yearly income in just a few weeks.
So seeing that fruit cross borders, gain headlines, and bring in dollars—it matters.
It’s not yet a game-changer. But it’s a sign. A signal that Georgian agriculture doesn’t have to rely only on hazelnuts and grapes to survive the export race.
And if the logistics can catch up with the demand? Then maybe next year, the numbers won’t just look good on paper—they’ll feel good in farmers’ pockets too.
