Following a recommendation from the Sector Economy and Economic Policy Committee of the Parliamnet of Georgia, Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) has resumed its monitoring activities concerning the hazelnut and blueberry markets.
The primary objective of this monitoring is to assess prevailing market conditions from the perspective of competition legislation, with particular emphasis on analyzing both market-driven and potential non-market factors affecting price formation. This initiative seeks to promote a more competitive market environment. Interim findings will be published periodically and made available to all relevant stakeholders.
GCCA’s monitoring reveals a substantial growth in blueberry exports from Georgia, with volumes increasing by 660% - from 654 tonnes in 2020 to 4,969 tonnes in 2024. Correspondingly, the export value rose by 595%, from GEL 11.4 million in 2020 to GEL 78.42 million in 2024.
From 2020 to 2022, the export market was classified as low-concentrated. In 2023-2024, the concentration index slightly exceeded the threshold for a low-concentrated market, indicating a relatively competitive environment where no small group of companies dominates the market. By 2024, 51 companies were engaged in blueberry exports. Market dynamics are characterized by frequent changes in the leading undertakings and the composition of the top five exporters annually. The market share held by the top five companies ranged from 54% to 63% during 2020-2024.
As for Hazelnut Market Monitoring, between 2020 and 2023, the combined market share of the five largest exporting entities in the hazelnut sector ranged from 37% to 47%. During this period, the primary destinations for Georgian hazelnut exports were Italy (32%), followed by Germany (20%), Armenia (7%), and Russia (4%).
Export volumes and values from Georgia over the respective years were as follows: 2020 – 16,675 tonnes valued at GEL 289.8 million; 2021 – 23,465 tonnes valued at GEL 365.7 million; 2022 – 21,848 tonnes valued at GEL 277.1 million; 2023 – 16,169 tonnes valued at GEL 219.2 million. The number of exporting undertakings fluctuated between 65 and 80 during the reporting period.
Additionally, the Agency is actively monitoring and analyzing the markets for pesticides and agrochemicals, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), auto fuel, and tobacco.
