Georgia emerges as a 5-month global blueberry supplier

By Shota Tsukoshvili
Georgia Blueberry Growers Association

Overview of the Blueberry Industry in Georgia

Over the past decade, Georgia has rapidly emerged as one of the most dynamic and promising new origins in the global blueberry industry. What began as a niche agricultural activity has evolved into a strategically important, export-driven sector, supported by strong investment, favorable natural conditions, and growing international demand.

Current Situation

Today, the country has developed more than 3,000 hectares of modern blueberry orchards, primarily concentrated along the Black Sea coastal regions — Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara, and parts of Imereti. These areas offer a unique combination of mild winters, high humidity, and reliable water resources, creating ideal conditions for early blueberry production.

As a result, Georgia benefits from a valuable harvest window from mid-May to mid-July, allowing producers to enter international markets ahead of many competitors and capture premium early-season prices.

This positioning has enabled Georgian blueberries to establish a presence in key export markets, including the European Union, the Middle East, CIS countries, and, more recently, India. At the same time, the industry is actively expanding its global reach, with ongoing efforts to finalize import protocols with China and to open new destinations such as Israel.

Despite this rapid progress, the sector remains relatively young — which is also one of its main strengths. A significant share of orchards has not yet reached full production, meaning that the industry’s most substantial growth is still ahead. In 2026, production is expected to exceed 10,000 tons, marking an important milestone in Georgia’s development as an export origin.

At the same time, the sector is undergoing rapid professionalization. Growers are increasingly adopting modern irrigation and fertigation systems, investing in advanced sorting and packing infrastructure, and implementing international standards such as GlobalG.A.P.

In parallel, producers are focusing on advanced genetics and premium varieties, including club varieties from leading international nurseries such as Fall Creek and the Sekoya® platform. This transition is strengthening fruit quality, consistency, and competitiveness in premium markets.

Main Challenges

Despite its strong growth, the Georgian blueberry industry faces several challenges that must be addressed to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

One of the key challenges is the variability in technical knowledge among growers. While some large-scale farms operate at international standards, many small and medium-sized producers are still developing expertise in areas such as pruning, nutrition, pest management, and postharvest handling — factors that directly impact yield and fruit quality.

Market access and price volatility also remain critical concerns. As global blueberry supply continues to expand, competition is intensifying, requiring Georgian growers to further strengthen quality, consistency, and market positioning.

Expectations for the Upcoming Season

Looking ahead, Georgia is preparing for its next stage of development: extending its production season.

While current production is concentrated in the western coastal regions, there is significant potential to expand into eastern areas of the country, where higher elevations and more continental climates are well suited for later-maturing, high-chill varieties.

By combining early production from the west with later harvests from eastern regions, Georgia aims to develop a staggered production system extending from mid-May through September. The long-term vision is to position the country as a reliable 4–5 month supplier of fresh blueberries, capable of supporting continuous supply programs for international markets.

The Georgia Blueberry Growers Association is playing a key role in this transition, supporting research and development in variety selection, regional adaptation, and best agricultural practices.

Looking Forward

As the global blueberry market becomes increasingly competitive, success will depend not only on volume, but on quality, consistency, and strategic positioning.

Georgia is clearly moving in this direction — transitioning from rapid expansion toward a more structured, market-oriented model focused on premium segments.

With a unique early harvest window, increasing production, expanding market access, and strong adoption of advanced genetics, Georgia is positioning itself as a reliable and forward-looking partner in the global blueberry industry.

The ambition to extend the season, diversify markets, and exceed 10,000 tons of production reflects not only projections, but the sector’s momentum and long-term vision.

Georgia is no longer simply entering the global blueberry market — it is steadily building its place within it as a competitive and increasingly trusted origin.

03-23-2026
IBO Editorial.