In the background, when the Georgian producers of wine decrease exports volume to Russia due to high risks of this market, the Russian government proposes to increase the export of agricultural products from Georgia.

However, not all farmers meet this news with enthusiasm.

According to Konstantin Vekua, Director of the kiwi farming “Nergeta",  the company does not plan to enter the Russian market and works only  in the local market, from  2016 it is going to export its products to the European market.

At this point, “Gori  greenhouse farming”,where only the tomatoes are grown,doesn’t think about export either.

Director of the greenhouse  Zurab  Jirkvelishvili states commersant.ge that the tomatoes grown in Gori completely meet local demand, and if there is  restart, they  will carry out  exports to the market that would be the most beneficial for the company.

A farmer from Gori Givi Abalaki has different expectations and waits with joy theopening of the Russian market.

"Before the Russian embargo, we always sent our products to Russia, and had a pretty good profit. This time I believe that  this market  should be restored for Georgian products, and if it has been resolved, I welcome this fact, because historically our country and our region with  its fruit potential and its sales opportunities has been always  focused on the Russian market," - the farmer says.

Since last November the Russian market was opened for products with a high phytosanitary risk, such as citrus, apples , pears and quinces . Head of thePhytosanitary Department of National Food Agency of the Georgian Ministry ofAgriculture Zurab Lipartia says that 20 thousand tons of citrus were sent from Georgia to Russia. As a result of the joint work with "Rosselkhoznadzor" specialists, some drupe fruit and vegetables are allowed into the Russian market as well. In Zurab Lipartia’s words, Russian experts are expected to arrive in Georgia in June.

After a 8-year pause, Georgian potato, berries, vegetables and fruit are allowed into the Russian market.

The Georgian government hopes that Russia would no longer use economic leverage to achieve political goals.

Recall that several Georgian wine companies plan to reduce exports to the Russian market. Winemakers explain this decision by the necessity of  the market diversification  and say that companies should not be largely dependent on one market.

Source:commersant.ge