Imports into Georgia increased by 64% - where does Georgia buy rice, which is likely to become more expensive

12/09/2022

13:43

A-

Rice import into Georgia increased by 64.4%. According to the data published by the Georgian National Statistics Office (GEOSTAT), in 7 months of this year, Georgia purchased 7,397 tons (5,532 million USD) of products, while in the same period of the previous year - 4,766 tons (3,147 million USD).

According to the same data, the main supplier of rice to Georgia is Pakistan, followed by India and Russia. In more detail, in January-July 2022, rice was imported into Georgia from the following countries:

Pakistan - 3,976 tons (2,258 million USD)

India - 2,002 tons (1,904 million USD)

Russia - 626.9 tons (580.8 thousand USD)

Thailand - 286 tons (224.8 thousand USD)

Kazakhstan - 131 tons (96.6 thousand USD)

Vietnam - 122.9 tons (123.9 thousand USD)

Turkey - 82.9 tons (80.6 thousand USD)

Italy - 50.9 tons (90.6 thousand USD)

The USA - 36.2 tons (62.9 thousand USD)

The United Arab Emirates - 28.6 tons (28.2 thousand USD)

In addition, relatively small amounts of rice are imported from the following countries: Spain, Germany, France, Iran, Poland, China, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Bulgaria.

To be informed, India, which is the world's largest grain exporter, imposed an export duty of 20% on rice, brown rice, and semi-milled as well as wholly milled rice except for parboiled rice to boost domestic supplies, effective September 9. The aim is to augment supplies and calm local prices after below-average monsoon rainfall curtailed planting.

India's exports rice to more than 150 countries, and any reduction in its shipments would increase upward pressure on food prices, which are already rising because of drought, heat-waves and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

264