Recent data from Georgia’s national statistics service reveals a sharp rise in wheat imports from Russia, reaching $9.2 million in May 2025 alone—the highest monthly volume since October 2024. Over the first five months of 2025, Russia supplied $27.9 million worth of wheat to Georgia, marking a 14% year-on-year increase. This reinforces Russia’s position as Georgia’s primary wheat supplier, a trend consistent over the past decade.
However, Kazakhstan has also emerged as a key alternative, exporting $5 million worth of wheat to Georgia in May 2025—the highest since September 2018 and a 160% surge from April. Yet, Kazakh wheat shipments remain irregular, with gaps lasting up to a year or more. The most recent pause spanned from June 2022 to November 2024, highlighting Georgia’s reliance on fluctuating supply chains.
Shifts in Other Grain Imports
Beyond wheat, Georgia imported smaller quantities of other Russian grains in May 2025:
- Buckwheat: $329,000
- Oats: $97,000
- Barley: $16,000
Meanwhile, corn imports from Russia plummeted to zero in May 2025, down from $1.4 million in May 2024. This follows a steady decline from a peak of $1.2 million in December 2024 to just $35,000 in April 2025, signaling a potential shift in Georgia’s feed grain procurement strategy.
Trade Dependencies and Market Volatility
Georgia’s agricultural import trends underscore its heavy reliance on Russian wheat, despite periodic diversification with Kazakh supplies. The abrupt drop in corn imports suggests possible policy changes, pricing shifts, or domestic production adjustments. For farmers, agronomists, and policymakers, these trends highlight the need for strategic stockpiling, diversified sourcing, and investment in local grain production to mitigate supply risks.
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