National Wine Agency: Wine export to the US increased by 60% in 2019

In the 7 months of 2019, Georgian wine exports to the United States increased by 60% and in Russia by 2%. However, about 60% of Georgian wine is usually exported to Russia.

Georgia’s National Wine Agency (NWA) reports that in January-July 2019, 388,038 bottles of wine were exported to the US. The Head of the agency, Levan Mekhuzula says in the 3-4 years on average 4-5 million bottles of wine will be exported to the American market, which will be an important step forward in replacing the traditional markets.

“We think that at this stage, stability and slight growth in our traditional markets are normal, but we are committed to double-digit growth in the US, South East Asia and Europe. So far we have a 60% increase of wine export to the US, and I hope we will finish with a 50% increase when the year is over,” he noted.

Mukhuzula says most companies find it easier to operate in a market where awareness of Georgian wine is high, but many companies have been re-thinking lately.

“Risks are being reevaluated, and there are some companies that are making a special effort, to replace or traditional markets or explore new ones,” he added.

During the last seven months of 2019, 47.2 million bottles of wine were exported to 47 countries worldwide, that is 4% higher than the similar data of 2018.

Exported wine income amounted to $114.2 million that is 6% higher than the data of the previous year.

Exports have increased to strategic markets like the USA - 60% (388038 bottles), UK - 39% (69662), China - 21% (4249687) and Poland - 19% (2250994).

Also, growth is remarkable in the following countries: France - 143% (63948), Lithuania - 41% (372918), Mongolia - 35% (172392), Belorussia - 19% (1008888), Israel - 51% (165671), Germany - 12% (344735), Estonia - 9% (357866), Russia- 2%, (29132711) Moldova - 4386% (317582), Netherlands - 42% (43260), Czech Republic - 42% (43260), Sweden - 1734% (39954), and Bulgaria 25% (19986).

The NWA says the top importer countries of Georgian wine are Russia (29132711), Ukraine (4893304), China (4249687), Poland (2250994), Kazakhstan (1902618), Belarus (1008888), Latvia (841236), the USA (388038), Lithuania (372918) and Estonia (357866).