Georgia has been noted for its increased exportation of fresh kiwi to Japan, a market known for its stringent quality requirements. Within the initial 10 months of 2024, the country exported 264 tons of kiwi to Japan, marking a 69% increase compared to the entire year of 2023. This surge places Georgia among the top four kiwi exporters to Japan, although it still trails behind New Zealand, the leading exporter with 108,000 tons, followed by Chile and the USA.
A controversy has emerged surrounding the authenticity of Georgian kiwi exports. Demur Pipia, the head of the Georgian Kiwi Producers Association, highlighted concerns over kiwi purportedly from Iran being sold in Japan under the guise of Georgian origin. Pipia expressed skepticism over the legitimacy of these exports, given the limited kiwi plantation area in Georgia.
The Georgian Kiwi Producers Association, established in 2018, now includes 114 farmers managing 70 hectares of kiwi plantations. Nergeta, a key player in the Georgian kiwi market, operates approximately 30 hectares of kiwi plantations and is involved in exporting kiwi to Japan and Germany. However, recent updates on Nergeta's operations are unavailable due to a lack of current information from the company's online platforms.
Source: East Fruit