Market
Walnuts in Georgia are produced across multiple regions and are supplied both by domestic production and imports. Geostat reports national walnut production of 36.9 thousand tons in 2023, with Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Guria, and Kakheti among the largest producing regions. UN Comtrade-derived trade data indicate Georgia is a net importer of walnuts (both in-shell and shelled), while exports exist but are comparatively small. For export programs—especially to EU buyers—food-safety compliance (notably aflatoxin controls) and origin/documentation discipline are key gatekeepers.
Market RoleDomestic production market with net import dependence (limited exports)
Domestic RoleWidely produced and consumed domestically, with production dispersed by region and a mix of household/smallholder output and emerging commercial orchards/processors
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination can block or delay access to EU buyers because the EU sets maximum levels for mycotoxins (including aflatoxins) in food under its contaminants framework (including Regulation (EU) 2023/915).Implement HACCP-based controls focused on drying and moisture management, maintain clean/low-humidity storage, and use batch testing against buyer and destination-market limits before shipment.
Regulatory Compliance MediumNon-compliance with Georgia’s export-oriented technical regulations for walnuts (quality/safety, conformity assessment, hygiene) can prevent lawful export placement or trigger enforcement actions.Map each shipment’s product form (in-shell vs kernels) to the technical regulation requirements, document hygiene controls, and maintain conformity records aligned with the regulation’s procedures.
Documentation Gap MediumIncorrect or missing proof-of-origin documentation can cause loss of preferential tariff treatment or customs disputes in partner markets; Revenue Service guidance highlights the role of origin declarations for Approved Exporters and EUR.1 workflows.Use the correct proof-of-origin mechanism for the target agreement (EUR.1 vs origin declaration), keep supporting origin evidence, and run a pre-shipment document audit with the importer/broker.
Market MediumGeorgia’s walnut market shows net import dependence in official trade statistics, creating exposure to external supply and price volatility for domestic buyers and processors.Diversify sourcing (domestic regions and import origins), contract early for key volumes, and maintain buffer stocks for kernels where storage conditions allow.
Standards- GLOBALG.A.P.
- BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (BRCGS)
FAQ
Is Georgia mainly a producer or importer of raw walnuts?Both: Georgia has meaningful domestic walnut production (Geostat reports 36.9 thousand tons in 2023), but official trade statistics also show sizable imports. For example, UN Comtrade-derived data show Georgia imported about USD 0.92 million of in-shell walnuts in 2023 while exporting about USD 0.14 million, indicating net import dependence overall.
Which regions are the largest walnut producers in Georgia?Geostat’s Agriculture of Georgia 2023 publication lists Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti as the largest producing region for walnuts in 2023, with Guria and Kakheti also among the top producers; Adjara AR and Imereti are additional notable producing regions.
What is the most critical compliance risk for exporting Georgian walnuts to the EU?Aflatoxin contamination is the key deal-breaker risk: the EU sets maximum levels for mycotoxins (including aflatoxins) in food under its contaminants legislation (including Regulation (EU) 2023/915). Exporters typically manage this with strong drying and moisture-control practices, HACCP-based controls, and batch testing before shipment.