Georgia's blueberry industry is being held back by a lack of logistics infrastructure, particularly cold storage facilities at airports, according to Lasha Nodia, founder of Kolkhuri Kenkra. He said the absence of a reliable cold chain makes it difficult to export fresh berries to distant markets such as India and Singapore.
Nodia noted that exporters currently rely on airports in Istanbul and, in some cases, Baku to ship products abroad. He expressed hope that Georgian airports will eventually develop cold chain infrastructure, reducing costs and minimizing the risk of product damage caused by temperature fluctuations.
He also highlighted a shortage of refrigerated storage facilities within Georgia, saying small farms often cannot afford to build their own cold storage, while existing rental facilities are frequently occupied by large traders. As a result, many growers are forced to sell their harvest quickly at lower prices.
Despite these challenges, Nodia remains optimistic about the sector's long-term prospects, although he expects consolidation as larger, better-equipped farms become more competitive. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Georgia exported 2,200 tons of blueberries worth $15.7 million between May 1 and June 21, 2026, with 95% of exports destined for Russia.
