Georgia emerges as one of few growth markets for Russian wheat exports

Russia is increasing wheat shipments to neighboring Georgia as exports to its traditional markets decline sharply. According to Georgia’s National Statistics Office, the value of Russian wheat imports reached $77.8 million in 2026, the highest level since 2020, when purchases totaled $80.3 million over the same period.

Georgia has become one of the few destinations where Russian exporters have managed to increase shipments amid an overall decline in wheat exports. As access to major markets becomes increasingly restricted, Russia is redirecting more grain shipments to nearby buyers, particularly countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

However, the scale of Russia’s wheat export difficulties far exceeds the growth in shipments to Georgia. Wheat exports to Turkey have fallen nearly eightfold, while shipments to Egypt have dropped 7.3 times. In October, Russian grain was shipped to just 15 countries, compared with 29 a year earlier, highlighting a significant contraction in export destinations amid restrictions on Black Sea shipping.

Tags: wheat, Georgia, Russia