In 2023, Georgia experienced a significant increase in banana imports, with a 45% rise compared to the previous year. The country imported 40,148 tons of bananas, valued at USD 34.2 million, a substantial increase from the 37,233 tons worth USD 29.1 million in 2022.

In January 2024, Georgia’s banana imports continued to grow, with the country purchasing 4,244 tons of bananas worth USD 3.5 million, 1.8 times more than the same period last year. In contrast, Georgia exported 2,322 tons of bananas valued at USD 1.9 million.

The primary source of Georgia’s banana imports is Ecuador, with 4,244 tons worth USD 3.5 million. The Netherlands also contributed, albeit on a much smaller scale, with 444 kg worth USD 2.08 thousand. A small quantity of bananas was also imported from Germany and Iran.

The geopolitical landscape significantly influenced Georgia’s banana trade. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions imposed by the European Union, leading container liners, except for MSC, ceased calling at St Petersburg and other Russian ports. This development transformed the Georgian port of Poti into a crucial hub for distributing bananas to neighboring countries, including destinations in Central Asia.