Import dynamics and pricesAccording to Galt & Taggart’s electricity market review, the total value of imports increased by 30.9% in March to $5.9 million. In terms of volume, Russia was still the largest supplier, however, as Russian imports mainly included preferential supplies intended for the Abkhazian region, it took only second place in terms of value.The increase in Turkey’s share of commercial imports was driven by competitive pricing compared to Azerbaijan. In March, the average price of electricity imported from Turkey was 4.6 US cents per kWh, while the cost of Azerbaijani energy was 6 US cents.According to analysts, Turkey’s re-establishment among the main suppliers indicates a gradual change in the geography of imports, which is due to a combination of price and technical factors.Balancing marketIn March, the average price of balancing electricity decreased by 5.7% year-on-year and amounted to 5.7 US cents per kWh. At the same time, the balancing volume increased by 14.8% (0.4 TWh), which amounted to more than a third (33.4%) of the country’s total supply.

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Repressive Legislation and Police ImpunityThe annual report “The State of Human Rights in the World” states that peaceful protesters, journalists and opposition figures in Georgia were subjected to “arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment” in 2024.The organization assessed that the police systematically used unlawful force, including tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons, injuring hundreds of people.According to the report, the authorities used legislative changes to intensify the repression, including large fines for blocking the road or wearing masks. Amnesty International emphasizes that despite the facts of violence, no police officers were held accountable.The judicial system and political persecutionThe document describes in detail “unfair trials”, where defendants were denied bail without evidence. The report cites specific cases, including the cases of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and activists Saba Skhvitaridze, Omar Okribelashvili and Saba Meparishvili, who were sentenced to prison on politically motivated charges.In addition, the organization draws attention to the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, on the basis of which the authorities froze the accounts of independent NGOs and began to persecute their leaders. In October, the ruling party even filed a constitutional lawsuit demanding the banning of three leading opposition associations.Gender-based violence and harassmentAmnesty International is particularly concerned about the gender-based violence against female protesters. The report mentions the cases of opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria and activist Kristina Botkoveli, who were subjected to degrading treatment and forced undressing during detention.According to the organization, the “cleansing” of state institutions in Georgia has affected all spheres, and law enforcement and oversight bodies have become “instruments of political revenge” in the hands of the ruling team.The Georgian government has yet to officially comment on this Amnesty International report.

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March figures and import dependenceIn March, domestic consumption increased by 4.3% to 1.3 TWh. The growth was mainly driven by the retail sector (+8.7% y/y) and the Abkhaz region (+9.4% y/y). At the same time, an 11% decrease was recorded in the direct consumer category, which was caused by a decrease in demand from data processing companies.Due to hydrological conditions, hydropower generation in March decreased by 8.6% year-on-year. This is despite the fact that the output of Enguri-Vardnili increased by 49% (the latter was largely due to the effect of the low base last year). As a result, the combined share of thermal generation and imports increased from 34% (March 2025) to 42% (March 2026), indicating the growing import dependence of the system.Alternative energy and import competitionDespite the gradual addition of new capacities, the share of wind and solar plants in total supply is still small and amounted to only 1.2% in March. It is worth noting that the “Upper Wind Station” (18.7 MW) was launched in test mode in March.The investment bank’s review highlights Turkey’s re-emergence among the top importers, indicating increased competition and structural changes in the market. The choice between imports and thermal generation was determined by price: Gardabani 1: 4.3 US cents/kWh Import from Turkey: 4.6 US cents/kWh Gardabani 2: 5.5 US cents/kWh Import from Azerbaijan: 6.0 US cents/kWh G-Power / Mtkvari Energy: 6.2 – 6.4 US cents/kWh Due to the high tariff, G-Power and Mtkvari Energy were operating only at limited capacity, due to technical needs. In total, more than half (51.2%) of consumption in the first quarter was again met by heat generation and imports.

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Georgia's trade deficit in January-March 2026 amounted to $2.41 billion, which was 41.2% of foreign trade turnover.In January-March 2026, the share of the ten largest export partner countries in Georgia's total exports amounted to 71.6%.The top three exporters were as follows: China ($203.2 million) Kyrgyzstan ($190.9 million) Russia ($145.5 million) In January-March 2026, the share of the ten largest import partner countries in Georgia's total imports amounted to 70.2%. The top three include: Turkey ($657.3 million) Russia ($592.5 million) China ($487.6 million) In January-March 2026, the share of the ten largest trading partner countries in Georgia's total foreign trade turnover amounted to 67%. The country's largest trading partners are: Turkey ($802.1 million) Russia ($738 million) China ($690.7 million) According to Geostat, in January-March 2026, among the top ten export commodity groups, light vehicles took first place with $364.5 million, which is 21.1% of all exports. Second place is taken by oil and oil products with $208.1 million (12.1% of all exports), and third place is taken by precious metal ores and concentrates with $169.9 million (9.9%).The largest import commodity group in January-March 2026 was represented by passenger cars, whose imports amounted to $632.2 million and 15.3% of all imports. Second place is taken by oil and petroleum products with $338.6 million (8.2% of imports), and third place is taken by petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons with $204.1 million (4.9% of imports).

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The prices for mining and quarrying decreased by 0.1 percent compared to February 2026, resulting in a -0.01 percentage point contribution to the overall monthly PPI change. In the same period, the prices for manufactured products increased by 1.8 percent, contributing 1.43 percentage points to the monthly index change. Within the group, a noteworthy price increasewas registered for beverages (4.7 percent) and coke and refined petroleum products (27.1 percent). Besides, the prices increased for electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning by 0.8 percent, contributing 0.08 percentage points to the monthly index change.The annual PPI rate was mainly affected by price changes for the following products: Mining and quarrying: the prices were 33.0 percent higher, contributing 2.11 percentage points to the overall annual index change. Within the group, the prices were higher for the subgroup of metal ores (42.8 percent) Manufactured products: the prices increased by 5.0 percent, contributing 4.03 percentage points to the overall annual index increase. There was a notable increase in the prices for food products (7.8 percent) and beverages (6.2 percent) Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning: the annual price increase amounted to 2.0 percent, which contributed 0.22 percentage points to the annual index change Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation services: the annual price increase amounted to 5.5 percent, which contributed 0.17 percentage points to the annual index growth

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“According to the amendments to the law, after May 1, it will be possible to cultivate a vineyard for commercial purposes only with the prior consent of the National Wine Agency. Otherwise, a person who cultivates a vineyard arbitrarily will not be able to commercially sell the grapes or wine produced.The aforementioned regulation applies only to those who plan to cultivate a vineyard for entrepreneurial activity and does not apply to those who cultivate a vineyard for personal consumption.Consent to cultivate a vineyard is issued free of charge by the National Wine Agency.The amendments are part of a reform aimed at improving the quality of wine and are aimed at regulating the process of cultivating vineyards. All parameters of the vineyard must meet the established standards, which will contribute to obtaining a quality harvest and producing high-quality wine.It is noteworthy that by May 1 of this year, a relevant normative act will be developed that determines the requirements for obtaining consent to cultivate a vineyard "Documentation and procedures," the National Wine Agency said in a statement.

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“Last year, we launched the pilot programme for micro and small business support, which generated considerable interest and achieved significant results. The City Economic Development Service has been monitoring the activities of entrepreneurs supported through the programme, and this oversight has shown that the programme’s effectiveness and results are undeniably positive. Based on these findings, we have decided to develop the pilot into a full-scale project, expand its scope, and increase the available funding. Last year, the financing limit per entrepreneur stood at 20,000 lari. This year, co-financing will rise to 50,000 lari,” the Mayor stated.He noted that last year, just under 50 micro and small entrepreneurs were selected and supported under the programme.“Those entrepreneurs were able to procure the equipment and machinery they required. In the selection and assessment of beneficiaries, preference will be given to candidates who have an active enterprise and can present a credible, constructive plan and vision for the development of their business. The co-financing proportions are structured as follows: up to 5,000 lari — 90% covered; from 5,000 to 20,000 lari — 85%; from 20,000 to 30,000 lari — 80%; and from 30,000 to 50,000 lari — 70% covered by the municipality,” Kaladze said.He added that the programme would proceed, recognising its vital role in promoting business growth and generating new employment opportunities.“The support provided under this programme helps existing businesses to grow further, raises their competitiveness, and, through our combined efforts, strengthens local production. I am confident that a great many people will benefit from it. Applications will be opened in the near future, and we will keep the public informed of the relevant dates,” the Mayor said.

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Production of potato decreased by 6.1 percent and set 207.9 thousand tons. Besides, production of vegetables equaled 146.3 thousand tons, which is 8.9 percent higher compared to 2024.According to the preliminary data of 2025, average yield of potato and vegetables have been decreased compared to the previous year, besides average yield of barley, and maize has been increased. According to the survey results, average yield of wheat consisted of 2.9 t/ha, average yield of barley – 2.7 t/ha, average yield of maize – 3.1 t/ha, average yield of potato – 14.5 t/ha, average yield of vegetables - 10.6 t/ha.According to the preliminary data, in 2025 sown areas of annual crops amounted to 184.3 thousand hectares, which is 3.8 percent less than the same period of the previous year. However sown area of winter crops decreased by 1.3% and consisted of 60.4 thousand hectares and sown areas of spring crops decreased by 4.9% and consisted of 123.9 thousand hectares.Sown area of maize took the biggest share in the sown areas of annual crops and equaled 65.3 thousand hectares. Sown area of wheat was 49.4 thousand hectares, sown area of barley – 24.0 thousand hectares, sown area of potato – 14.3 thousand hectares, sown areas of fodder crops – 10.3 thousand hectares, sown area of vegetables – 10.8 thousand hectares and sown areas of the remaining crops 10.2 thousand hectares.According to the preliminary data, in 2025, 205.6 thousand tons of fruit (except Grapes and citrus) were produced in the country, which is 15.6 percent less than in the same period of the previous year. As for the distribution of fruits by species during the reference period, 72.3 thousand tons of pome fruit were produced which is 19.3 percent less than in the same period of the previous year. Production of stone fruit consisted of 53.3 thousand tons (30.5 percent lower), production of nuts – 53.9 thousand tons (2.7 percent higher), production of subtropical fruit – 17.4 thousand tons (1.2 percent higher) and Berries – 8.7 thousand tons (16.0 percent higher).Besides this, in 2025, 347.4 thousand tons of grapes were produced, which is 8.3 percent higher than in previous year, and 55.0 thousand tons of citrus, which is 0.4 percent lower than the previous year.

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Of this, exports amounted to $1.72 billion (increased by 23.3 percent), and imports amounted to $4.14 billion (decreased by 7.2 percent). The negative trade balance in January-March 2026 amounted to $2.41 billion, which is 41.2 percent of foreign trade turnover.Detailed data on Georgia’s foreign trade will be published on April 20 of this year.

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According to the head of government, the decision was made as a result of active consultations with the business sector. The reasons were the interests of the private sector and the possible impact of the regulation on consumer prices.“Plastic consumption harms both human health and the environment... However, at the same time, we must take into account the side factors related to this process, including the subjective interests of business, as well as the possible impact of specific regulations on consumer prices,” Irakli Kobakhidze said.Changes and current regulationsAccording to the original plan, the production (except for export), import and sale of beverages in plastic bottles were to be banned from February 1, 2027. According to the decision, this deadline was extended by 4 years.Nevertheless, other parts of the regulation remain in force: From July 1, 2026: public catering establishments (restaurants, canteens, kiosks, transport) will be prohibited from serving beverages to customers in plastic bottles. Already valid ban: The delivery of ready-made food in disposable plastic containers and cups is prohibited. It is worth noting that the restrictions do not apply to products intended for export and packaging for packaged food. According to the Prime Minister, the process of reducing plastic consumption will continue in stages.

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