Tea Producing Company Aketi declares that product realization is a problem. As Sergo Gagua, the founder of Aketi told bm.ge, certain steps are being taken to promote tea in Guria, including festivals, but this is not enough to sell the product.
According to him, local production cannot reach the markets because it cannot compete with imported, cheap and low-quality tea.
Sergo Gagua also says that in order to compete, Georgian entrepreneurs need more support.
"The main problem is realization. Many festivals have been held in Guria, steps are being taken in terms of promotion, but there are no fundamental changes. Local production cannot compete with imported ones. The consumer prefers the cheaper one, not paying attention to the quality.
It is necessary to start popularizing Georgian tea, including advertising, in terms of raising awareness among people about the quality of Georgian tea. It will be good if they remove VAT. In order to meet our competitors with dignity, we need to strengthen," the entrepreneur explains.
Sergo Gagua owns a 4-hectare tea plantation and enterprise in the village of Aketi in Guria. The company produces a total of 2 tons of products. Aketi assortment includes black and green tea.
