Georgia revives its tea producing industry

Georgia has an international reputation as a producer of delicious food and tasty wine, but soon it could also be known for its indigenous tea.

Georgia, with support of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD), is tackling the challenges and encouraging development of tea production in the country.

To revive tea production in Georgia, the Agriculture Ministry will establish a Commission to research the local tea industry. The Commission aimed to complete in-depth research and thorough analysis of the current situation of Georgian tea production as well to create a state program in the field.

Our aim is to assist renewal of neglected tea plantations. The cost of rehabilitation of one hectare of tea plantation on average is 30,000-32,000 GEL. That is why prioritisation is necessary. Most activities in this regard will be held in Guria, Samegrelo and Adjara regions,” said Deputy Agriculture Minister Gocha Tsopurashvili.

"At the moment we are working on studying the situation of tea plantations as well as ownership issues. We have to find the most optimal, effective and interesting way to develop the tea sector together with farmers and entrepreneurs. Georgian tea has a potential of becoming a so-called branded product with its place in the global market,” he added.

Last week ENPARD and its implementing partners ISET-PI, CARE International in the Caucasus, Regional Development Agency, and Georgian Farmers’ Association, hosted the first Stakeholders’ Regional Forum on the tea sector.

The regional meeting was believed to be the first step in the development of the tea industry in Georgia.

In the framework of the forum a discussion was held between representatives of tea cooperatives and successful industry businessmen. All participants highlighted the importance of featuring in the local market but also the need to search for and feature in new markets.

Industry insiders said to increase tea sales it was necessary to renew tea plantations with young plants and modernise the local tea production industry.

Statistics showed in 2014, Georgia’s black tea exports amounted to $1,377,000 USD, while the country imported $8,008,000 USD worth of black tea in the same year.