Despite the global decline in wine consumption, Georgian alcohol producer Askaneli finished 2025 with solid financial growth. In an interview with BM.GE, company founder Gocha Chkhaidze said that the group’s total sales increased by 6% last year.
According to him, Askaneli achieved a record performance, selling 18.6 million bottles in 2025.
“Even though global wine consumption is falling, Askaneli ended the year with 6% growth. I think that is a very strong result. Our portfolio is especially driven by the brandy (cognac) category, where we exceeded 12 million bottles,” Chkhaidze said.
The company is actively expanding its exporting markets. In addition to traditional destinations, Askaneli is strengthening its presence in the United States, where its products are already featured in major chains, including Total Wine.
However, the company’s strategic priority for the coming years is the Asian market. Chkhaidze believes that Asia, particularly China and India, will be Askaneli’s main driver of expansion over the next five years.
“We are making major investments to diversify markets. I believe that in the next five years, Asia—India and China especially - will ‘take off.’ We are ready for that,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2026, Chkhaidze forecasts even stronger performance, expecting 20–30% sales growth. He says this optimism is backed by regulatory changes and the introduction of minimum pricing in traditional markets, which will push out low-quality and counterfeit products, ultimately strengthening reputable brands like Askaneli.
