According to the data published by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (GEOSTAT), in 2023, compared to 2022, the salt import decreased by 10%, but compared to 2021, this indicator increased by 25%. Accordingly, in 2021 Georgia bought salt (55,000 tons) worth $4.7 million, in 2022 - $6.1 million (up to 70,000 tons), in 2023 - $6.3 million (more than 63,000 tons). 

As for the countries, Georgia’s main trading partner by salt imports is Turkey. In 2023, salt worth $2.3 million (36,000 tons) was imported from Turkey, in 2022 - $2 million (32,000 tons); in 2021 - $2.6 million (up to 28,000 tons).

Russia is also among the salt importing countries. Georgia increased salt import from Russia by 55% compared to 2022, and by 78% compared to 2021. Accordingly, last year, 227 tons of salt were imported from Russia, in 2022 - up to 101 tons, and in 2021 - up to 49 tons.

Georgia’s top-5 trading partner by salt imports in 2023 are:

Turkey - $2.3 million - 27,655 tons:

Iran - $1.8 million - 25,649 tons;

Azerbaijan - $1.1 million - 7,007 tons;

Kazakhstan - $438 - 1,562 tons;

Greece - $110 - 183 tons;

As for the salt export, Georgia’s main trading partner is Qatar. Last year, 25 tons of salt were sold to Qatar, 20 tons - to Armenia.

In 2021, Ukraine was among the top three salt importing countries, from which more than 10,000 tons of salt worth $1.3 million were imported. However, in the following years, the salt import from Ukraine decreased significantly, which was probably caused by the war started by Russia and a heavy blow to the country's economy.