Georgian producer Freshka has increased the price of its caviar due to higher costs of raw materials. Founder Mikheil Khorbaladze explains that the price of quality curd has risen significantly, pushing the cost of the final product upward. A 500-gram caviar, previously sold for 75 GEL, now costs 85 GEL, reflecting the company’s commitment to using only premium ingredients.
Despite being one of the most expensive options on the market, demand for Freshka’s caviar remains strong, which Khorbaladze attributes to its high quality. He notes that 2025 was a challenging year, with roughly a 30% drop in sales compared to the previous year due to raw material shortages and increased costs, which also squeezed profit margins.
Sales improved in the latter part of the year, especially from mid-January to February, and the company has maintained a positive trend into 2026. Freshka currently produces an average of 2–3 tons of caviar per season, a scale that exceeded the company’s initial expectations when it first started. While interest from foreign markets exists, current production is focused on meeting domestic demand.
Looking ahead, Freshka plans to expand its product range, with intentions to offer cold-smoked salmon in 2026. Khorbaladze emphasizes that while some of these products are currently sourced from other producers, the goal is to develop in-house production to broaden the company’s offerings.
