It is necessary to control the processes so that if imports increase,
the prices for local products will not fall, Nikoloz Beniaidze, Chairman of the Association of Grain Producers, says commenting on a rise in imports of Kazakh wheat into the country.
Note: Kazakhstan is starting to subsidize the cost of wheat exports to Georgia. In particular, exports to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia will be subsidized in the amount of $40 per ton. In addition, the subsidy on the export cost during transit through the territories of Georgia and Azerbaijan to the ports of the Black Sea will be 60 dollars per ton.
According to the National Statistical Office of Georgia, 2,590 tons of wheat worth $590,520 were imported to Georgia from Kazakhstan in January 2025.
It’s worth mentioning that grain imports from Kazakhstan were minimal in previous years. Last year, imports were carried out only in December and stood at 1,610 tons (total $367,080). Over the past five years, imports of Kazakh wheat made 3,700 tons.
Subsidies for grain crops by the Kazakh side may increase imports to Georgia. Nikoloz Beniaidze notes that all this has not yet affected farmers.
He believes the processes should be controlled so that prices do not fall if imports increase. It is also worth noting that due to low prices for wheat (about 40 tetri per kg) over the past two years, farmers have faced difficulties. Some of them have failed to repay their loans, while others have temporarily abandoned wheat cultivation and switched to growing other crops.
“So far, it has not negatively affected farmers’ activities or crop prices.” Wheat prices have risen and now match real, but farmers sold the harvest cheaply and have little stock left. It is necessary to control [wheat import from Kazakhstan] to ensure that it does not have a significant impact on the local market. “The average price of wheat now is 75-80 tetri,” Nikoloz Beniaidze stresses.
