According to the Youth Farmers Association, Georgia produces much fewer vegetables than neighboring countries; therefore, it is largely dependent on imports.
According to 2019 data, Georgia produces 10.6 times fewer vegetables than Azerbaijan and 3.3 times less vegetables than Armenia.
Production in 2015-2019 in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan:
In 2019, 161.1 thousand tons of vegetables were produced in Georgia, 547.1 thousand tons in Armenia, and 1716.2 thousand tons in Azerbaijan.
In 2018, 142.1 thousand tons of vegetables in Georgia. 560.3 thousand tons in Armenia, and 1523.4 thousand tons in Azerbaijan.
In 2017 - 125.9 thousand tons of vegetables in Georgia, 811.9 thousand tons in Armenia, and 1407.1 thousand tons in Azerbaijan.
In 2016 - 141.7 thousand tons in Georgia, 916.1 thousand tons in Armenia, 1272.1 thousand tons in Azerbaijan.
In 2015 - 152.3 thousand tons in Georgia, 973.3 thousand tons in Armenia, and 1276.8 thousand tons in Azerbaijan.
In 2020, Georgia increased agricultural production, but it still can not be equal to the neighboring countries. The Minister of Agriculture is satisfied with the results after eight years and adds that the Georgian Dream government has created a policy of promoting the rural economy, the effectiveness of which Levan Davitashvili is trying to show with specific numbers.
"The added value, that is, what agriculture contributes to the economy, has increased by about GEL 1 billion in the last eight years. We imported products worth over a billion every year and exporting practically nothing. The negative balance was more than $ 750 million, which today has dropped to an all-time low of $ 250 million. Our trade relations in this sector have improved by more than $ 500 million. Consistency is very important in agriculture. Many things are still to be achieved, but we already have significant results," Levan Davitashvili stated.
