BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 8
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
The production of blueberry crop is increasing in Georgia, Georgian Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture told Trend.
"This year, the blueberry crop is forecast at 700-800 tons. In 2019, the average export price of blueberries was $4.6, while as of July 30, 2020, it was $5.9. The products are sold domestically, as well as are exported," the ministry said.
According to the ministry, from January 1 to June 30, 2020, 396.5 tons of blueberries worth $2.34 million were exported to Russia. Some 3.6 tons valued at $19,800 were exported in Ukraine.In addition, Georgia exported 2.1 tons of blueberries worth $19,500 to the United Arab Emirates, and 0.4 tons worth $5,100 to Qatar.
According to the Georgian National Statistics Service (Geostat), the export of blueberries and other berries of the Vaccinium genus over the past five years in monetary terms amounted to $214,900 in 2015, $474,800 in 2016, $477,100 in 2017, $445,500 in 2018, and $984,700 in 2019.
Meanwhile, large Georgian producers of blueberries, including Blue Valley LLC, Blueberry LLC, Agrolane LLC, FCO LLC, as well as Agritouch, the owner of a refrigeration farm for storing and freezing berries, announced the creation of the Blueberry Council of Georgia.
Ekaterina Vepkhvadze, the newly-elected president of the Blueberry Council of Georgia, founder of Agritouch, said that one of the main goals of the association is to promote the development of the industrial chain in the blueberry sector.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila6197935