Limited milk supply is one of the main factors preventing Georgian dairy producer Aria from entering international markets. The company’s Production Director, Ana Gamgebeli, said on BMGTV’s “Women’s Narrative” that Aria does not plan to begin exporting in the coming years, as its current production capacity is insufficient.
“We don’t have enough milk in Georgia to be able to export our products. We work with very small quantities,” Gamgebeli said. Aria sources raw milk both from its own farm and local farmers. She said it took the company several years to ensure stable milk quality and supply, while Aria currently inspects its suppliers and monitors milk quality, refrigeration equipment and livestock housing conditions.
The company is also considering expanding its own farm to increase production. According to Gamgebeli, Aria’s business model is based on controlling the entire production chain, from land and feed production to livestock breeding and dairy processing. “We want to have this entire chain under our control, starting with the land and feed production, continuing with livestock breeding and ultimately ending with the production of our products. Therefore, creating our own large farm is one of our important directions,” she said.
Product characteristics also make exports more difficult. Gamgebeli said Aria does not use preservatives or additives, while its products have a short shelf life, creating additional challenges for international distribution. Aria operates a production facility and goat farm on 60 hectares in Menji, Senaki municipality, and currently focuses on the Georgian market, producing around 45 types of dairy products, including cottage cheese, matsoni, sour cream, burrata, stracciatella and mozzarella.
