Businessman Temur Chkonia says Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia does not export Coca-Cola from Georgia to Russia. He made the remarks to BMG in response to reports in Russian media that Russia had temporarily restricted imports and sales of certain Georgian wines and non-alcoholic beverages, including Coca-Cola produced in Georgia.
“Selling Coca-Cola in Russia is not our business,” Chkonia said, adding that the company’s official export markets are Azerbaijan and Armenia. He stressed that exporting to Russia is not in the company’s business interests and that exports are possible only with the approval of global Coca-Cola.
However, Chkonia acknowledged that wholesale partners can legally purchase products from Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia and subsequently resell them in Russia. While small quantities may leave Georgia through such channels, he said, this does not constitute the company’s own export activity and does not affect its business or reputation.
“Our interests are focused on three markets: Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Chkonia said, noting that the company has official agreements supported by global Coca-Cola to operate in those countries. Russia and other markets outside this scope are not part of its business strategy.
