Fruits and fruit products producers say that demand for persimmons in the Georgian market is low. In a conversation with Commersant, they say that dried persimmons are mainly bought by tourists.
In Gordi village of Imereti, Gia Ghachava has been making dried fruits, sweets and candies for 15 years. He started his activity 9 years ago and in 2015 he started the enterprise "Gorduli". In the conversation with Commersant, he pointed out that dried persimmons are a novelty for foreigners and mainly tourists buy this product.
The businessman does not carry out exports of his products yet, but plans to enter the Russian market. Gia Chagava says that the demand for Georgian products on the Russian market is higher than on the European. Products export to Europe is more expensive that increases the final price.
Everyone exports persimmons to Russia. 90% of the fruit produced in Kakheti is sold in Russia. Thousands of trucks are transporting tangerines out of the country.
In the businessman’s words, he sent a small amount of dried persimmons to Germany. Gia Ghachava is now waiting to see how the market will accept his product and whether dried persimmons will be in demand.
"I was given an order and I sent persimmons to Germany in small quantities. According to the current law, it’s allowed to send 150 kg without checks every day to Europe as family-produced product. I believe that we need to produce dried fruits and exchange them for other goods made in Russia that are in demand in Georgia. I lived in Russia for 10 years and can sell my products smoothly there. Exporting products to Russia is easier and brings in more income than to Europe. The selling price in Europe is higher, but our products are mainly in demand on the Russian market, whether we like it or not. They know what kind of product it is and buy it- Gia Ghachava points out.
Persimmons were brought to Western Georgia from Italy in the 90s of the 19th century, from where the culture spread to other regions of Georgia. It should be noted that the wild relative of this culture, the Caucasian persimmon, has been known for a long time in Georgia.
