Georgian citrus fruit conquers new markets

Minister of Agriculture of the Adjaran Autonomous Republic Emzar Dzirkvadze states that the previous Russian market for Georgian citrus fruit has now been completely substituted by other markets. He says that Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan are now consuming the entire Georgian production of tangerines, oranges and lemons. “Concerning citrus fruit there is nothing to worry about, but for wine and tea the problem still exists. So we still need the Russian market to be reopened,” thinks Dzirkvadze.

Georgia returning to the Russian market is very problematic as since the aggression of last August Moscow has occupied one fifth of Georgia’s territory and has direct ties with separatist Abkhazia, which is also famous for growing citrus fruit.