Russia named largest importer of Georgian wine
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Russia has remembered the delectable taste of Georgian wine.
Georgia’s large neighbour has overtaken Ukraine as the largest importer of Georgian wine in the first six months of this year.
From January 1 to June 30, Georgia exported 26.8 million bottles of wine, valued at $87.2 million USD, to 34 countries across the world. Of this, Russia obtained 17 million bottles, which was 66 percent of total exports, said the National Wine Agency of Georgia based on latest state data.
The volume of wine exported in the first half of the year increased by 136 percent compared to the same period of 2013.
Latest wine export data showed Ukraine was the second highest importer of Georgian wine, followed by Kazakhstan, Poland and China.
Georgia has become the third largest wine importer in Russia, outrunning Spain, in the first three months of 2014, Hvino News reported based on the data of Russia’s Customs Service.
Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development has developed a draft law to suspend the agreement between Russia and Georgia on free trade, Russian media reports. The draft bill was uploaded on an official portal where authorities disclosed legal information.
Abashidze believed a draft law issued on Wednesday by Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development that outlined moves to suspend the 20-year-old free trade agreement was "not a surprise” for Georgian officials and "it will not be a tragedy”.
Georgia’s Prime Minister believes Russia’s suspension of its bilateral free trade agreement with Georgia is "not a big tragedy." Irakli Garibashvili commented on this topic from the Vasiani Military Base where he attended military trainings of Georgian soldiers.
Abashidze said the reason for Russia’s decision was because of the Customs Union – a union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia which gathered ex-Soviet states into a free trade zone to rival the European Union (EU).
As summer draws to an end, the country’s grape harvest season is just beginning and experts are estimating more than 100,000 tonnes of grapes will be picked this year.
More Georgian wine is continuing to be exported as European countries strive to get their hands on Georgia’s liquid gold.
From January 1 to September 30, Georgia exported 42.8 million 0.75 litre bottles of wine, valued at $137 million USD to 39 countries across the world.
More Georgian wine is continuing to be exported to foreign countries and enjoyed by people all over the world.
More Georgian wine is continuing to be exported to foreign countries and enjoyed by people all over the world.