The blueberry industry in Georgia is preparing for a 2026 season marked by strong production prospects, high fruit load, and optimistic expectations regarding the opening of new export markets, especially in Asia.
This was stated by Tornike Phanjavidze, who noted that despite a climatically challenging spring, orchard development has progressed favorably and without any major extreme events. “This year we did not experience a major event such as the heavy snowfall or severe frost that seriously affected some areas last year and practically wiped out entire crops,” he said.
Strong crop development despite heavy rainfall
According to Phanjavidze, flowering and the flower induction phase performed well overall. Although there was some frost risk during bloom in certain production areas, growers who implemented preventive measures managed to avoid significant damage. “There was frost risk, but with proper management we can now say we have zero frost damage,” he explained.
One of the season’s main challenges has been excessive rainfall. According to Phanjavidze, Georgia accumulated nearly 700 millimeters of rain during spring, a figure significantly higher than in previous years. This raised concerns regarding pollination due to the lower number of sunny days and the need to increase the use of bumblebees and honeybees per hectare.
In addition, he noted that low temperatures affected leaf development compared to last season, although no significant impact on plant performance or fruit quality has been observed so far. “It was quite a cold and rainy spring, which forced us to carry out interventions within very short time windows to prevent diseases and ensure adequate calcium and micronutrient levels,” he said.
Production expected to increase by 40%
Despite the climatic difficulties, production prospects remain positive. Phanjavidze stated that Georgia could increase its blueberry production by around 40% compared to the previous season. “Volumes are looking very good, and growers who have properly managed their orchards should expect high production and good fruit quality,” he said.
The executive added that, so far, no major issues related to fungal diseases or widespread pest damage have been reported. He only mentioned one isolated case of hail damage in an orchard located in a mountainous microclimate area, a situation that, he emphasized, does not affect the industry’s overall performance.
He also commented that the harvest schedule is expected to be similar to last year’s, although possibly delayed by several days due to the cold conditions experienced during spring.
International market and focus on Asia
From a commercial standpoint, Phanjavidze noted that the international blueberry market is also showing particular dynamics this season.
According to him, Morocco and Spain experienced production delays and some quality issues, which pushed prices higher during the European spring season. However, he said prices began stabilizing during May. “The last shipments from Spain and Morocco will probably have lower quality, but Georgia does not directly compete with those early volumes. Our differentiation must be based on quality,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the export season, the GBGA representative said expectations for Georgia remain optimistic, especially due to the industry’s ongoing efforts to open new international markets. “We are negotiating with new countries where Georgia has not yet exported blueberries, especially high-volume markets in Asia. Opening new destinations remains a priority for us,” he said.
Finally, Phanjavidze emphasized that the success of the season will largely depend on weather conditions during harvest. “If we have favorable conditions, without excessive rainfall or heat waves, I believe Georgia can have a very successful season,” he concluded.
