EU Market Opens for Georgia’s Black Sea Fish

From now Georgia will have the opportunity to export its fish to the $500 million market of the European Union.

The EU has included Georgia in the list of "third countries,” which will allow Georgia’s Black Sea fish and fish products to be imported to the EU market.

This will be the third animal product to be allowed into the EU market after Georgian wool and honey.

The information was released by the Agriculture Minister of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili and the EU Ambassador to Georgia, Janos Herman, at a special press-conference.

“At present, $30 million worth Georgian products are exported to Turkey, which has been the only export market for Georgian fish to date,” Davitashvili said. “From now on, Georgian products will have the chance to enter the European market with higher purchasing ability, over $500 million, giving the sector the incentive to develop fishing and the entire industry,” he added.

He went on to point to the next step: presenting a list of business operators recognized by Georgia who will be allowed to export Black Sea fish and fish products to the EU.

The EU ambassador noted that Georgia has made important steps to get closer to EU standards.

“Export to the EU will definitely increase and Georgia has good potential in this direction…This decision will help Georgian fish become more popular on other markets. We look forward to continuing cooperation. Negotiations over other products are also underway,” Herman stated.

In 2014, the Georgian side presented an application to the European Commission for the purpose of entering Georgia into the official list of third countries.

Inspectors of the Directorate General Health and Food Safety and Food and Veterinary office of the European Commission visited Georgia in order to observe the food safety control system and make an audit of Black Sea fish and fish products.

As a result of their mission and recommendations, Georgia’s Ministry of Agriculture created an action plan and made certain steps toward bringing Georgian legislation closer to that of the EU, on the basis of which, Georgia has been added the list of third countries and the EU market is now open for Georgia’s Black Sea fish and fish products.

Last year, Georgia was allowed to start honey export to the EU market.

Thea Morrison