Blueberry season has started in Georgia: prices are still holding, but pressure is growing
Blueberry harvesting in Georgia has just begun, but the market is already showing the first signs of overheating. Over the past week, purchase prices have fallen from 9.5 to 7 euros per kilogram, and, according to market participants, this trend will continue in the coming days.
Despite the decline, the price level in Georgia remains quite high, especially compared to Serbian blueberries, which are now actively supplied to EU countries and are distinguished by a more favorable price with high quality. According to EastFruit specialists, one of the factors supporting the price in Georgia remains the presence of alternative sales markets, primarily the Russian one.
In recent years, Georgian exporters have significantly increased their presence on the Russian market, and it is this market that often helps smooth out price fluctuations in the EU. However, industry participants emphasize that, when prices are equal, preference is given to the EU markets, since they offer more stable conditions, a transparent payment system, and lower logistical and reputational risks. The Russian market, on the contrary, is characterized by high instability, frequent changes in customs procedures and a high level of informal regulation, which reduces its attractiveness for long-term supplies.
Read also: Blueberry forecast for daring newcomers: Colombia, Georgia, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Egypt and others.
The situation in Europe also contributes to increased price pressure on Georgian products. Due to the deterioration in the quality of blueberries in Spain, buyers began to look for an alternative, primarily in Serbia, where the season is already active. Serbian blueberries, as a rule, reach European consumers faster and are cheaper in logistics, which gives them an advantage in price competition with Georgian ones.
As harvest volumes increase and new batches appear on the market, price pressure in Georgia will increase, especially if exports to the EU do not pick up the expected pace. Signs of supply oversaturation are already observed on wholesale platforms, which signals the approaching stage of active price adjustment.
In these conditions, exporters need to closely monitor the situation in key markets and be flexible in logistics and pricing. As experience from previous seasons shows, the ability to quickly respond to fluctuations in demand and quality can be a key factor in success in the face of increasing competition.
Source: https://east-fruit.com