Georgia’s wheat producers are calling on the government to introduce a tax on wheat imports, warning that cheap Russian grain is pushing local farmers to the brink. According to Nikoloz Beniaidze, head of the Wheat Producers Association, Russia’s removal of export duties has caused a surge of low-priced wheat that Georgian farmers cannot compete with.
Beniaidze says the sector was previously protected when Georgia imposed special customs fees on flour, bran, and chaff - a mechanism he believes should now apply to wheat as well. “A similar fee would stabilize bread prices, keep mills operating, and save local farmers,” he noted.
Wheat currently sells for about 60 tetri, which Beniaidze calls “catastrophically low,” leaving farmers selling at or below cost. Last year’s higher prices encouraged extensive planting, so a strong harvest is expected, worsening the financial strain at today’s prices. Farmers say a minimum price of 70 tetri is needed for sustainability.
Another challenge is the long-term lack of certified seed imports, which has reduced yields and crop quality. Beniaidze says a large-scale, coordinated import program is essential.
The association is in active communication with the agriculture ministry and expects a government decision soon. “Farmers need immediate support. We hope measures will be taken to help the sector continue developing,” Beniaidze said.
