However, since 2017, the spread of Asian tortoise beetle has damaged hazelnut plantations and the harvest as well as the quality of Georgian hazelnuts and export earnings have fallen.

The situation was relatively improved in 2020, when export volumes reached 17,900 tons and the revenue was $ 94 million. In 2021, exports increased by 26% - to $ 118.4 million. Last year, Georgia exported 25,000 tons of hazelnuts. Quantitatively, last year hazelnut exports were almost as much as in 2016, but the revenue earned is 34% lower than in 2016. The main reason for the decline is the globally reduced price of hazelnuts. The fall in commodity prices was due to the decline in prices in the main producer of hazelnuts - Turkey, which was related to the depreciation of the TurkishLira. Turkey controls 66% of the global supply of hazelnuts, while Georgia's market share is only up to 3%.

According to the latest FAO data, Georgia is the sixth largest producer of hazelnuts and includes 3% of this crop.

By years, Georgia's position in global hazelnut production (according to FAO data) is as follows:

• In 2014 - Georgia 33,800 tons, third place;

• In 2015 - Georgia 35,300 tons, third place;

• In 2016 - Georgia 29,500 tons, fifth place;

• In 2017 - Georgia 21,400 tons, sixth place;

• In 2018 - Georgia 17,000 tons, seventh place;

• In 2019 - Georgia 24,000 tons, seventh place;

• In 2020 - Georgia 32,700 tons, sixth place.

The EU countries are the main export market of Georgian hazelnuts.