Georgia’s Wine Exports Fall 12 Percent in 2025 Amid Quality and Industry Concerns

Georgia’s wine exports have dropped by 12 percent in the first nine months of 2025, reaching a total value of about $190 million. This decline has raised concerns among industry experts, who say the decrease points to deeper structural issues within the country’s wine sector rather than just temporary market changes.

Levan Samanishvili, former director of Georgia’s National Wine Agency, said that part of the drop was expected. Many exporters had rushed shipments to Russia at the end of 2023 to avoid higher excise taxes that took effect this year. However, Samanishvili emphasized that the latest figures reveal more serious weaknesses in the industry.

According to Samanishvili, wine quality has declined and this year’s grape harvest was poorly organized. Many wineries struggled to find high-quality grapes. In some regions, only the state purchased the harvest, leaving small and medium-sized producers—who often focus more on quality—out of the market. Meanwhile, large-scale production continues to dominate.

Georgia has a long history as a wine-producing country and relies heavily on exports, especially to Russia and other former Soviet states. The recent drop in exports comes at a time when global competition is increasing and consumer preferences are changing. Industry observers say that unless Georgia addresses its quality and organizational challenges, it may lose ground in key export markets.

The government has not yet announced new measures to support small producers or improve quality standards. Some winemakers are calling for reforms to help smaller vineyards compete and to encourage better practices across the sector. As the harvest season ends, many in Georgia’s wine industry are watching closely to see how policymakers and producers will respond to these growing challenges.