Why not Georgian tea?

During the Soviet period Georgia satisfied the entire Soviet Union's demand for tea. Today however the Georgian market consists mainly of imported tea, and only 10% of what is available is Georgian produce. Georgia consumes more than 30 different brands of tea from India and other countries.

There are around 20 tea plants left in Georgia and together they produce around 2,000 tonnes of tea. Most of this however is exported, mostly to formerly Soviet Central Asian countries where Georgian tea is still very popular. Around 85% of Georgia’s tea goes there.

The Russians placed an embargo on Georgian agricultural products about 5 years ago and wine and mineral waters are no longer exported to Russia. Tea has also been affected by this embargo.