**Georgia’s Trade Exceeds Expectations, Reaches $11.93 Billion**
In a surprising turn of events, Georgia’s external merchandise trade has shown significant growth in the first half of 2025, exceeding expectations and outpacing last year’s figures. According to a report by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat), the country’s total trade turnover reached a staggering $11.93 billion between January and June this year.
This represents a 12.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024, marking a notable milestone for the Georgian economy. Exports were the primary driver of this growth, rising by 13.7% year-on-year to reach $3.23 billion. On the other hand, imports also increased, but at a slightly lower rate of 12.4%, totaling $8.7 billion.
The resulting trade deficit was a substantial $5.46 billion, accounting for approximately 45.8% of total external trade turnover during the reporting period. While this is certainly a concern, experts point out that a moderate trade deficit can be beneficial for economic growth and development.
**Key Trade Partners**
Georgia’s top export destinations were Kyrgyzstan ($681.3 million), Kazakhstan ($414 million), and Azerbaijan ($341.8 million). These countries collectively accounted for nearly 80% of the country’s total exports, highlighting their importance in Georgia’s trade relationships.
On the import side, Turkey took the lead with $1.29 billion, followed closely by the United States at $1.283 billion and Russia with $950.5 million. The top ten import partners made up approximately 72% of total imports, further emphasizing the significant role these countries play in Georgia’s trade.
**Leading Export Commodities**
Motor cars emerged as Georgia’s leading export commodity for the second consecutive period, totaling a whopping $1.21 billion (37.6% of total exports). Precious metal ores and concentrates came in second with $174.6 million (5.4%), while spirituous beverages ranked third with $123.2 million (3.8%).
Interestingly, motor cars also topped imports at $1.662 billion (19.1%), highlighting their immense popularity among Georgian consumers.
**Conclusion**
Georgia’s external merchandise trade has shown remarkable resilience in the face of global economic uncertainty. The country’s strong export performance and moderate import growth are positive indicators for its economy. As Georgia continues to navigate the complexities of international trade, it is essential that policymakers prioritize strategies to maintain this momentum and foster further growth.
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