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GEORGIA CONSUMES 80 TONS OF TROUT PER MONTH
Written by Keti Chkhikvadze
The Financial
http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Geo/90545_Georgia_Consumes_80_Tons_of_Trout_per_Month/
July 11 2011
Georgia
The FINANCIAL -- According to recent statistics, total fish imports
both live and frozen were up to 26 million USD in 2009, and 30 million
USD in 2010.
While export is 5-6 times less, the total export of fish both live
and frozen amounted to 5 million USD in 2009 and 7 million USD in 2010.
Import includes approximately 98% of frozen fish from different
countries such as China, Vietnam, Spain, Norway and Japan.
Trout sales reach 80 tons per month in Georgia, which is up to
a thousand tons annually according to Irakli Pataraia, Executive
Director of Aquafeed Georgia, the exclusive distributor of BioMar
feed in Georgia.
"Due to the reason that Georgia is located among exporter countries
live fish is not brought into the country, which is usually three
times more expensive compared to imported frozen fish.
"Fish catching in Georgian waters is so insignificant that its
consumption share is not even considered. Live fish is a luxury product
in Georgia. Considering this background fish farming is developing
in Georgia rapidly," explained Pataraia.
"Trout is a priority fish in Georgia as it is impossible to offer other
types of live fish to the population. The ecological quality of trout
is governed by three factors: genetics, water and the feed. To produce
a kilo of quality trout one needs a kilo of feed," Pataraia added.
Bio Mari is one of the big players in fish production in Georgia. The
company's fish is sold in major trade chains of Tbilisi as well as
in restaurants. The company supplies Goodwill, Populi, G-Mart, Ioli,
M Group and GMC Group.
"Bio Mari holds a significant segment of the Georgian fish market. I
believe this is due to our high quality fish, as according to current
competition terms this is a vital factor. The company has used BioMar
feed exclusively since 2008 which governs the consistent high quality
of the fish," said Zurab Khitarishvili, the owner of Bio Mari.
The aim for each Georgian farmer is to export Georgian trout. All
the conditions necessary for its achievement are in place. As well
as major players in the sector the market is also led by small farmers.
"Aquafeed Georgia started its operations in 2007. The company imported
premium quality fish feed from different countries which gave farmers
the chance to observe which one was most effective. We supported
fish market development and boosting competition among farmers,"
said Pataraia.
"For three years already Aquafeed Georgia has been the exclusive
distributor of BioMar in Georgia, while our clients are the
most successful farmers. We are working in different directions
in aquaculture. The Georgian fish market is small in terms of its
capacity so our priority is market diversification," Pataraia said.
In regards to fish production and export, Armenia has the most
developed market in the region. The field could not be developed in
Azerbaijan due to the bad conditions of the water.
"Armenia is more developed in terms of fish production than the other
countries in the region - Georgia and Azerbaijan. Namely, Armenia
consumes ten times more fish feed compared to Georgia, meaning it
has ten times bigger production" Pataraia said.
About 200 enterprises are currently engaged in fish production
and the processing of crayfish in Armenia. Their annual production
reaches about 5,000 tons. The biggest market for Armenia is Russia,
export of fresh and frozen Armenian fish to Russia more than doubled
in 2010 to about 400 metric tons.
The popularization of trout and the fish industry in general is led
by the only fish portal in the Caucasus region - www.kalmaxi.ge. "The
major aim of the portal is to support effective communications between
stakeholders in the fish industry," said Archil Avzhantadze, editor
of the portal.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Written by Keti Chkhikvadze
The Financial
http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Geo/90545_Georgia_Consumes_80_Tons_of_Trout_per_Month/
July 11 2011
Georgia
The FINANCIAL -- According to recent statistics, total fish imports
both live and frozen were up to 26 million USD in 2009, and 30 million
USD in 2010.
While export is 5-6 times less, the total export of fish both live
and frozen amounted to 5 million USD in 2009 and 7 million USD in 2010.
Import includes approximately 98% of frozen fish from different
countries such as China, Vietnam, Spain, Norway and Japan.
Trout sales reach 80 tons per month in Georgia, which is up to
a thousand tons annually according to Irakli Pataraia, Executive
Director of Aquafeed Georgia, the exclusive distributor of BioMar
feed in Georgia.
"Due to the reason that Georgia is located among exporter countries
live fish is not brought into the country, which is usually three
times more expensive compared to imported frozen fish.
"Fish catching in Georgian waters is so insignificant that its
consumption share is not even considered. Live fish is a luxury product
in Georgia. Considering this background fish farming is developing
in Georgia rapidly," explained Pataraia.
"Trout is a priority fish in Georgia as it is impossible to offer other
types of live fish to the population. The ecological quality of trout
is governed by three factors: genetics, water and the feed. To produce
a kilo of quality trout one needs a kilo of feed," Pataraia added.
Bio Mari is one of the big players in fish production in Georgia. The
company's fish is sold in major trade chains of Tbilisi as well as
in restaurants. The company supplies Goodwill, Populi, G-Mart, Ioli,
M Group and GMC Group.
"Bio Mari holds a significant segment of the Georgian fish market. I
believe this is due to our high quality fish, as according to current
competition terms this is a vital factor. The company has used BioMar
feed exclusively since 2008 which governs the consistent high quality
of the fish," said Zurab Khitarishvili, the owner of Bio Mari.
The aim for each Georgian farmer is to export Georgian trout. All
the conditions necessary for its achievement are in place. As well
as major players in the sector the market is also led by small farmers.
"Aquafeed Georgia started its operations in 2007. The company imported
premium quality fish feed from different countries which gave farmers
the chance to observe which one was most effective. We supported
fish market development and boosting competition among farmers,"
said Pataraia.
"For three years already Aquafeed Georgia has been the exclusive
distributor of BioMar in Georgia, while our clients are the
most successful farmers. We are working in different directions
in aquaculture. The Georgian fish market is small in terms of its
capacity so our priority is market diversification," Pataraia said.
In regards to fish production and export, Armenia has the most
developed market in the region. The field could not be developed in
Azerbaijan due to the bad conditions of the water.
"Armenia is more developed in terms of fish production than the other
countries in the region - Georgia and Azerbaijan. Namely, Armenia
consumes ten times more fish feed compared to Georgia, meaning it
has ten times bigger production" Pataraia said.
About 200 enterprises are currently engaged in fish production
and the processing of crayfish in Armenia. Their annual production
reaches about 5,000 tons. The biggest market for Armenia is Russia,
export of fresh and frozen Armenian fish to Russia more than doubled
in 2010 to about 400 metric tons.
The popularization of trout and the fish industry in general is led
by the only fish portal in the Caucasus region - www.kalmaxi.ge. "The
major aim of the portal is to support effective communications between
stakeholders in the fish industry," said Archil Avzhantadze, editor
of the portal.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress