Peach harvesting is in full swing in Georgia’s Kakheti region, but growers say they are facing significantly lower prices and weaker sales this year. Speaking on BMGTV’s Women’s Narrative program, Ana Berikashvili, founder of Anaberika Winery and owner of a four-hectare peach orchard, said peach prices have fallen by around 50% compared with last year.
According to Berikashvili, the main reason is weaker exports to Russia, which remains the primary market for Georgian peaches. She warned that the situation highlights the risks of relying too heavily on a single export destination, especially since Georgia lacks enough processing facilities to absorb large volumes of fruit.
She noted that peaches are highly perishable, leaving farmers with little choice but to sell at prevailing market prices. While prices have dropped sharply, Berikashvili said this year’s crop is of high quality, with her Italian peach variety performing well despite the summer heat.
Berikashvili added that growers are also facing rising production costs and increasing climate-related risks, including hail and heavy rainfall. She stressed that diversifying export markets, expanding fruit processing capacity, and introducing new crops are essential to making Georgia’s fruit sector more resilient.
