Georgia Has the Highest Milk Prices in the Region

Milk prices fluctuate constantly in the global market, but according to new data from Numbeo, Georgia stands out with a particularly unique position. Out of 127 countries, Georgia ranks 29th in terms of milk price levels. On average, one liter of milk in Georgia costs $1.84 — positioning the country not only among the highest globally but also making it the most expensive milk market in the region.

What is alarming is that milk in Georgia is significantly more expensive than in neighboring countries. For example, the same quantity costs just 90 cents in Turkey, placing Turkey at 112th globally. In Azerbaijan, the average milk price is $1.34, in Armenia $1.59, and in Russia $1.01. Under these conditions, Georgian consumers spend nearly twice as much on milk compared to citizens of some neighboring countries.

This fact has drawn the attention of economists and agricultural sector specialists. Numerous factors influence milk prices: production costs, output volumes, the share of imports, and agricultural infrastructure — all of which have an impact on final prices. Particularly noteworthy is that milk production in Georgia has been stagnating for years. According to “Sakstat” (the National Statistics Office of Georgia), a total of 570.7 million liters of milk were produced in 2024, a 2.3% decrease compared to the previous year, and significantly lower than the 2008 peak of 645.8 million liters.

The problem is compounded by the structure of milk production. Georgia relies predominantly on small-scale family farms, where standardized mass production is underdeveloped. This means that on a national scale, effective mechanisms such as supporting large-scale milk producers, promoting cooperatives, and advancing modern livestock farming are largely absent. As a result, locally produced milk cannot effectively compete price-wise with imported products, ultimately leading to the formation of high prices across the entire market.

On a global scale, the highest milk prices are found in countries like Guyana ($3.55), Barbados ($3.53), Jamaica ($3.46), Hong Kong ($3.12), and Taiwan ($2.93). The cheapest milk is in Tunisia — at 47 cents — followed by low prices in Iran, Uganda, India, and Belarus. It should be noted that in some countries, low milk prices are often linked to state subsidies, large-scale production, and relatively low operational costs.

At a time when even developed countries are striving to increase local milk production and stabilize prices, for economies like Georgia’s, it must become a priority to strengthen the domestic dairy sector, develop infrastructure, and diversify production. Otherwise, the trend of high prices will persist, making milk even less accessible for the general population, especially for low-income families.

Thus, behind the high prices lie not only global market volatility but also Georgia’s internal structural challenges — challenges that urgently require aggressive and effective agricultural support policies. Cooperation among the state, local businesses, and international partners could become a critical tool to transform Georgia from a regional leader in milk prices into a competitive market.