Tea Producers Association See High Demand on Georgian Tea on World Market

The rehabilitation of tea plantations will enter an active phase in 2021, in Georgia.

Within the framework of the "Georgian Tea" program, it is planned to rehabilitate 1,200 hectares of privately owned state-owned wild tea plantations, promote the growth of local tea production and increase the export potential.

Tengiz Svanidze, head of the Association of Tea Producers, told Business Partner that Georgian tea is of high quality and in high demand on the world market, although small local production does not meet their requirements.

"Georgia produces 265 tons of black and green tea annually. Although the quantity is small, the country has the potential to significantly increase tea production. It amounted to 152,000 tons in 1985. During this period there were about 70,000 hectares of tea plantations. In many villages of western Georgia. At some stage of production, about 180,000 people were involved in the tea value chain. Since the 1990s, tea production in the country has been declining. I hope the Georgian tea state program will enter an active phase this year." Said Tengiz Svanidze.

To overcome the problems in the sector, the Parliamentary Committee on Agrarian Affairs decided to set up a working group. For reference, 2.5 million GEL will be spent on the tea plantation rehabilitation program for the next 4 years.