TBILISI, August 21 – Georgia exported over seven times as much apples this year, compared to last. The growth is tied to poor harvests in neighboring countries. Apple exports between January and July rose an astonishing 654% compared to last year, with more than 10,700 tons shipped abroad worth USD 6.7 million. Almost all of … Read more
TBILISI, August 13 – The Georgian government will no longer subsidize private wine companies to buy surplus grapes. Instead, any grapes the private sector does not purchase will be bought directly by a state-owned enterprise, the Harvest Management Company, at fixed prices. In the eastern Kakheti region, the key Saperavi variety will be purchased at … Read more
TBILISI, August 9 – An opposition party in Georgia says an abandoned airport in the village of Meria, near Ozurgeti, could help develop the country’s economy if it were brought back into operation. The party Lelo – For a Strong Georgia says the site was once meant to be restored as an international airport able … Read more
TBILISI, August 6 – The International Monetary Fund expects Georgia’s economy to grow by 6% in 2025. However, many fear that inflation, particularly in food, may take away much of the potential benefit for the wider population. Inflation in Georgia rose to 4.3% year-on-year in July, the highest level recorded since May 2023, driven primarily … Read more
TBILISI, August 5 – A recent World Bank study reveals significant problems of high cost and lagging quality of internet service in Georgia, compared to other countries in the region. According to the findings, published by Georgia’s Communications Commission, the median fixed internet download speed in Georgia was just 20 Mbps in July 2024, compared … Read more
TBILISI, July 31 – Georgia’s economy continues to expand, with official statistics reporting 6.3% growth in June 2025 and an average 8.3% increase over the first half of the year. International forecasts suggest Georgia remains one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, outperforming global averages by a significant margin. Yet despite the positive data, … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is seeing a slowdown in mortgage lending, driven by high interest rates and broader economic uncertainty. According to the National Bank of Georgia, commercial banks issued 24,000 new mortgage loans in the first half of 2025, down 13% compared to the same period last year. Despite the decline in the number of loans, … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–In the remote high-altitude villages of southwestern Georgia, youngsters are leaving while remaining residents have to deal with limited internet access, sparse infrastructure, and regulatory hurdles. Many young people are leaving settlements like Ghorjomi and Didachara in search of work, while those who remain struggle with poor communications networks and unresolved land registration issues, … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–In recent years, during regional tension and global turmoil, Georgia’s economy has shown exceptional growth, according to a new report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Among the country’s robust performance indicators are high GDP growth, falling inflation, and declining public debt. Since 2021, Georgia has sustained average annual real GDP growth exceeding 9%, … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Rising tensions between Russia and its South Caucasus neighbors are approaching the level of a “trade war”, but one that appears to have brought unexpected benefits for Georgia. In June, Georgia recorded its highest monthly export figure ever. According to official statistics, exports rose 10.2% year-on-year to USD 639 million, with total trade turnover … Read more