Georgia’s Foreign Trade Falls 24% in January 2026

2026-02-19 - 10:34

Georgia’s external merchandise trade, excluding non-declared trade, amounted to USD 1.6 billion in January 2026, marking a 23.6% year-on-year decrease, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) on February 19. Exports rose by 19% to USD 480.4 million, while imports declined by 33.7% to USD 1.12 billion. The trade deficit stood at USD 649.1 million, accounting for 40.3% of the total external trade turnover. China was Georgia’s largest export destination in January, with exports totaling USD 66.1 million. It was followed by Turkey (USD 52.1 million) and Kyrgyzstan (USD 49.9 million). The top ten export destinations accounted for 74.5% of Georgia’s total exports. Motor cars remained the leading export commodity, generating USD 100.7 million and making up 21% of total exports. Petroleum and petroleum oils followed with USD 58.7 million (12.2% of total exports). Precious metal ores and concentrates ranked third at USD 51 million, accounting for 10.6% of exports. On the import side, Turkey remained Georgia’s largest trading partner, with imports totaling USD 195 million. China followed with USD 157.3 million, and Russia with USD 156.8 million. The top ten import partners accounted for 71.4% of total imports. Motor cars topped the list of imported commodities at USD 150 million, representing 13.3% of total imports. Petroleum and petroleum oils followed at USD 96.7 million (8.6%), while petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons ranked third at USD 79.1 million, accounting for 7% of total imports. Also Read: 30/01/2026 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 7.5% in 2025 20/01/2026 – Georgia’s Foreign Trade Up 10% in 2025 14/01/2026 – Gazprom Says It Delievered 40% More Natural Gas to Georgia in 2025 07/05/2025 – Georgia Pays More for Russian Gas Than for Azerbaijani for First Time in 18 Years