Georgian Wine Exports and Qvevri Makers — 2026-10-24
Georgia’s wine exports have declined by 6% in the first nine months of 2026, with Russia maintaining a dominant 63.5% share of the market despite global headwinds. While the country’s grape harvest reached record quality levels, local producers face pressure from Russian tariff proposals and a shift in trade dynamics toward China.
Georgian Wine Exports and Qvevri Makers — 2026-10-24
Top developments
Export volumes decline as Russia retains dominance
In the first nine months of 2026, Georgian wine exports fell by 6% in value, totaling $188.7 million. Russia remains the primary destination, accounting for $119.7 million, or 63.5% of total exports. This concentration highlights the sector's continued dependence on the Russian market, even as global wine exports slump.
Record harvest quality amid price disputes
The 2026 grape harvest has been characterized by "record quality," with 99.4% of processed grapes in Kakheti rated as medium or high quality. By late October, over 278,000 tons of grapes had been processed in the Kakheti region alone. Despite the high quality, local farmers in Kakheti recently protested low procurement prices, prompting authorities to adjust purchasing rates.
Russian tariff threats loom over exports
Russian wine producers are urging the government to raise import tariffs on wine from "hostile" countries to 200%. While Georgia is not explicitly named as a "hostile" country in this specific proposal, the move signals a protectionist shift in Russia’s wine policy that could disrupt the current export model for Georgian producers who rely heavily on this market.
Local view
Local media outlets such as Pravda Georgia and Civil Georgia have focused on the dual narrative of economic dependence and agricultural resilience. Civil Georgia reported that Georgia’s foreign economic dependence index rose by 21.3% in the second quarter of 2026, driven largely by increased trade with Russia and China, while trade with the EU declined. This shift is being closely watched by local stakeholders who fear that the "unprecedented harvest" quality may not translate into better prices if export markets remain volatile.
Context & numbers
- Total Wine Export Value (Jan–Sep 2026): $188.7 million
- Russian Market Share: 63.5% ($119.7 million)
- Grape Processed in Kakheti: 278,083 tons (as of Oct 20)
- Grape Processed in Racha: 682 tons of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli varieties
- Global Wine Export Trend: Fell 5.1% to €15.8 billion in H1 2026
On the radar
- Racha Harvest Completion: The harvest in the Racha-Lechkhumi region is ongoing, with a projected total yield of around 3,000 tons for the season.
- Russian Vodka Imports: Conversely, Russia’s vodka exports to Georgia surged by 4.4 times, reaching a record $1.6 million in Jan–Sep 2026, indicating a complex two-way alcohol trade relationship.
- EU Market Access: European producers are navigating a 14% tariff gap when exporting to China, a challenge that Georgian producers may also face as they seek to diversify away from Russia and into Asian markets.
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