Farmway has expanded its almond orchards in Georgia's Kakheti region to 330 hectares and is building two almond processing facilities as it prepares to enter European markets. Speaking to BM.GE, Farmway Georgia Operations Manager Giorgi Sanikidze said the company is primarily targeting exports to EU countries, including Italy and Germany, where demand is strongest for shelled and blanched almonds.
The company is investing GEL 7 million in the processing plants, which will handle almond cracking, drying, and blanching. The cracking and drying facility is expected to be operational by mid-August, while the blanching line is scheduled for installation in December. Farmway invested GEL 20 million in establishing the orchards and said subsidized loans under Georgia's "Plant the Future" program played a key role in the investment decision.
The first commercial harvest was collected last year, while production is expected to increase this season and expand further next year as younger orchards begin bearing fruit. Sanikidze said the company currently plans to focus on wholesale exports rather than developing a retail brand for the domestic market, adding that Georgian almonds are competitive internationally in both price and quality.
Farmway also identified lengthy phytosanitary certification procedures for exports as one of its main challenges, saying it has asked the government to help speed up inspection processes. The project is backed by Singaporean and U.S. investors through Farmway Georgia and Fort Pillar, with Giorgi Sanikidze holding a 49.9% stake in both companies.
