How Georgia Became a Major Player in the Iraqi and Azerbaijani Markets

In the first months of 2025, one of Georgia’s more unusual export segments — the export of live cattle — experienced an astonishing surge. Within just a year, this sector grew twentyfold, encompassing not only an increase in volume but also in value. Such large-scale growth suggests not merely a one-off success, but likely a systemic and greater-than-expected economic transformation.

According to the latest data from Geostat, in January–February 2025, Georgia exported 3,034 tons of live cattle, exceeding $8.8 million in value. These figures are particularly striking when compared to the same period in 2024, when only 153 tons of cattle were exported, valued at merely $390,460. In just 12 months, Georgia managed to achieve nearly a 2,000% increase in export volume in this industry — a rare figure for this sector.

In terms of pricing, the change is also evident. Last year, the export price per kilogram of live cattle (excluding taxes) stood at $2.54, while this year it has risen to $2.90. This roughly 14% price increase means that demand is growing not only in quantity but also in value, indicating that Georgian livestock is gaining serious competitiveness in the regional market.

Such dynamics reveal that Georgia’s cattle market had not yet been fully tapped internationally, and its potential is now beginning to materialize. It is noteworthy that the vast majority of the exports — around 90% — are destined for the Iraqi market, highlighting Iraq as a de facto strategic export partner for Georgia in this segment. The remaining 10% goes to Azerbaijan, explained by geographic proximity and logistical simplicity.

More specifically, in January–February 2025, 2,729 tons of cattle were exported to Iraq with a value of $8.18 million, while 304 tons were exported to Azerbaijan, amounting to $631,000. This situation clearly points to a geostrategic trend: Georgia has the potential to become a regional hub for agricultural exports, provided that policies, veterinary controls, and logistical chains are properly optimized.

It is important to recognize that multiple factors likely contributed to this growth. International price dynamics and meat shortages in regional countries are part of the explanation, but improvements in local farmers’ production methods, enhanced logistics, and possibly state-driven incentives for the agricultural sector have also played a significant role. At the same time, the strong demand from Iraq for Georgian products suggests that Georgian cattle meet competitive standards in terms of nutritional value, health, or other key attributes.

This development also reminds us that agriculture and livestock production continue to hold enormous potential for Georgia, especially when paired with well-planned export strategies. If the country continues this trend with strong political and technical support, 2025 could mark a turning point for the export prospects of Georgian agriculture.