Local grain producers in Georgia say they are facing a severe crisis, with unsold stocks from last year still sitting in warehouses ahead of the new harvest season. Giorgi Khatiashvili, farmer and director of Caucasus Genetics, says low market prices driven by cheap imported wheat are making it impossible to sell domestic production.
Farmers are urging the government to introduce a seasonal tariff on wheat imports, particularly from Russia. They argue that Russian wheat enters the market at prices below local production costs, making Georgian wheat uncompetitive.
Khatiashvili warns that without state support, domestic wheat production may no longer be economically viable. “We almost have no economic motivation left to continue wheat production,” he said, adding that discussions with the agriculture ministry are ongoing but no final decision has been made.
He also notes that Georgia produces only 20–25% of its wheat needs and still relies heavily on imports. Farmers are asking for temporary import restrictions during harvest months so they can sell local production before imports resume.
