Georgia, Tbilisi, April 11 / Trend N. Kirtzkhalia /
Up to 60 wine, soft drink and mineral water production companies will be able to supply their products to the Russian market, Minister of Agriculture David Kirvalidze, chairman of the wine agency Levan Davitashvili and food agency head Zurab Chekurishvili said at a joint press briefing on Monday.
Some 80 companies producing wine and soft drinks and four manufacturers of mineral water expressed the desire to export their products to Russia.
Kirvalidze said that according to preliminary information, more than 60 companies will get a positive response. The information will be posted on the webpage of the ministries, he said.
The minister said that as of today, two Georgian wine companies have already registered their products in Russia. This process will continue. Other enterprises will be registered in the near future. Moreover, Georgian wine companies will be represented at international exhibitions in the current quarter with the support of the wine agency.
According to the head of the agency, Georgian wine is being successfully delivered to various world countries.
Georgian vegetables will be also be supplied to the Russian market. The export of fruit and other agricultural products will begin from the autumn.
According to the minister, the Georgian agricultural products will be exported to the Russian market in phases.
"The Georgian delegation reached the agreement at a meeting with the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance on April 3," he said. "At the first stage, Georgian and Russian experts will continue working over technical regulations. Afterwards, Georgian products will be supplied to the Russian market without obstacles. After laboratory testing, Georgian vegetables will be mainly exported. Fruits and other agricultural products will be exported from this autumn."
He said Turkish agricultural products will be transited to Russia through Georgia under a current agreement.