Where Is Georgia’s Strategic Wheat Reserve Stored?

In 2024, Georgia operated 39 grain elevators, forming a critical component of the country’s food infrastructure. These facilities employed 441 people and their geographic distribution reveals distinct regional patterns: the majority are concentrated in Kvemo Kartli (25.6%) and Kakheti (23.1%), while Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Imereti, and Tbilisi each account for 12.8%. This distribution indicates that the core centers of food security in the country are regionally diversified, though the southern and western regions still lack robust elevator infrastructure.

The primary function of elevators is to store and process grains and food products. In 2024, they stored a total of 464.5 thousand tons of products, of which 61.3% was wheat. The rest was made up of soybean meal, wheat flour, and corn. Among locally produced goods, wheat flour dominates sales at 81.8%, underscoring the significant role of domestic grain reprocessing in Georgia.

Over the course of the year, elevators sold a total of 280.1 thousand tons of products, valued at 326.3 million GEL. Notably, only one-third of this output was of local origin, highlighting the country’s ongoing reliance on imports — especially in the grain and food sectors. Local production is largely limited to wheat flour and bran, reflecting a trend of specialization within Georgia’s agricultural sector.

Technological capability is crucial for operational efficiency: only 46.2% of elevators are fully equipped with modern technology, while 15.4% remain entirely outdated. This disparity directly impacts storage quality, energy efficiency, and long-term market stability. A major challenge for the sector is financial accessibility — 41% of elevators use loans, primarily for upgrading core assets, signaling the urgent need for modern infrastructure development.

Throughout the year, the average daily usage rate of storage facilities fluctuated between 46–55%, indicating substantial room for improved capacity utilization. This suggests that Georgia still has potential to grow both in terms of production volume and storage efficiency.

The elevator sector in Georgia stands as one of the most strategic links in the national food security system, directly ensuring a stable supply of essential goods. Alongside technological upgrades and financial support, it is vital to balance regional infrastructure and increase the share of domestic production — a necessity for long-term economic sustainability and the competitiveness of Georgia’s agricultural sector.