The Global Blueberry Boom and Georgia’s Rising Export Role

The global blueberry market has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in agriculture. While just a decade ago blueberries were considered a niche product, today they are part of a high-demand global category. The market reached $6 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass $9 billion by 2028 (IMARC Group), driven by trends in healthy eating, superfood popularity, and the rise of single-serve packaging formats.

In Georgia, blueberries are still a relatively new crop, but export data points to significant potential. According to Geostat, between 2020 and 2024, imports rose from $159,000 to $1.1 million, while exports jumped from $3.8 million to $28.2 million. Georgia now exports about five times more blueberries than it imports, though exact data on local production remains unavailable. The sharp increase in exports suggests growing domestic cultivation and expanding commercial plantations.

The momentum has been particularly strong in recent years. Between 2022 and 2024, exports nearly tripled. While the trade code includes “fresh bilberries, blueberries, and other Vaccinium berries,” blueberries dominate this group. This export surge highlights Georgia’s growing role as a supply-side player in the global berry trade.

Russia is currently the primary destination for Georgian blueberries, accounting for around 86% of total export volume in 2023. However, diversification is underway: blueberries are also being exported to Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. This expanding reach suggests that Georgian products are gradually entering high-demand markets beyond the immediate region. On the import side, Georgia sources blueberries primarily from the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkey—indicating seasonal gaps in domestic supply or demand for specific varieties.

Blueberry plantations are expanding rapidly in regions like Adjara, Samegrelo, and Imereti. Local investment projects, foreign funding, and long-term export contracts are creating favorable conditions for Georgia to secure a niche in the global blueberry market. However, maintaining competitiveness will require investment in cold-chain infrastructure, logistics, and compliance with international quality certifications—particularly for EU and Gulf markets where standards are strict.