Georgia has made significant strides in cutting down its potato imports from Belarus during the first quarter of 2024, marking a stark contrast to the figures recorded in the same period last year. The latest data reveals a remarkable drop in both the volume and value of potato purchases from Belarus.
Comparing the statistics for January to March 2023 with the corresponding period in 2024, the shift is quite pronounced. In the first quarter of 2023, Georgia imported a substantial 6,371 tons of potatoes from Belarus. However, fast forward to 2024, and the import volume has plummeted to a mere 518 tons, showcasing a substantial decline.
Not only has the volume decreased significantly, but the monetary value of these imports has also witnessed a sharp decline. The total expenditure on Belarusian potato imports in the first quarter of 2024 amounted to a modest $137,500, a stark contrast to the hefty $1.72 million spent during the same period in 2023.
Data from the National Statistics Service of Georgia further sheds light on the broader trends. In 2023, the country’s expenditure on importing Belarusian potatoes stood at approximately $2.18 million, underscoring a notable shift in import patterns over the years.
The drastic reduction in potato imports from Belarus highlights a substantial shift in Georgia’s agricultural trade dynamics and signals a potentially evolving landscape in the country’s import preferences. This development not only impacts the bilateral trade relations between Georgia and Belarus but also reflects changing consumer demands and market trends within the region.
