Georgia’s tea imports and exports both declined in the first eight months of 2026, despite the country’s long tradition of tea production. Official statistics show that Georgia imported 1,256 tons of tea worth $6.75 million in January-August, down by 10.2% year-on-year. The decline was mainly driven by lower imports from Sri Lanka, while supplies from Russia and Turkey also decreased slightly.
Azerbaijan was Georgia’s largest tea supplier, with imports worth $2.4 million and weighing 315 tons. Russia ranked second with $1.8 million and 242 tons, followed by Sri Lanka with $1 million and 198 tons. Poland supplied $374,000 worth of tea, while imports from Turkey amounted to $259,000, totaling 350 tons.
Tea exports also declined, with Georgia shipping 976 tons worth $1.85 million to around 15 countries, down 23.1% year-on-year. Local exports, however, increased to $988,000, with 786 tons of Georgian tea mainly sold to Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Russia. Re-exports fell 43.4% to $858,000, with Turkey and Armenia among the destinations.
Turkey was the largest destination overall, receiving $797,000 worth of tea, or 186 tons. Mongolia ranked second with $273,000 and 313 tons, followed by Kazakhstan with $135,000 and 225 tons, Russia with $93,000 and 114 tons, and Armenia with $86,000 and 47 tons.
