Compared to the first quarter of last year, this year we see a 25% growth in sales, - Mikhail Chigladze, founder and CEO of the Georgian natural honey production company HOBY, says.
According to him, demand is growing from year to year. In 2021, when they first appeared on the market, their sales amounted to 10 tons of honey per year, in 2024, the company sold 60 tons of honey and earned more than half a million lari in revenue.
"In 2023, our income was 280,000 GEL, in 2024, we earned more than half a million GEL. It is noteworthy that this year has also started quite well," Chigladze notes.
"Hobby" is active on the local market. The company's honey is sold in chain stores, including in Ori Nabiji, Fresco, Universami, Europroduct and Madagoni, as well as in several smaller stores.
The company offers both traditional (in jars ) and non-traditional (packaged) honey to its customers. As Mikheil Chigladze says, demand for both formats is growing due to consumer trust and product quality: “Our honey undergoes strict quality control, and this is what creates trust with consumers,” he says.
Currently, the company owns 1,200 hives located in the mountain villages of Racha and Imereti, which gives the product unique taste and medicinal properties. The product range includes acacia, mixed and chestnut honey.
Although the company is actively working to promote its products in the international markets and sees a growing interest from foreign partners, the priority is to full satisfy the local market.
“Our priority is to satisfy the country with quality honey, and only then focus on exports ,” Mikhail Chigladze points out.
