In the third and fourth quarters of 2022, Georgian power plants generated 4,193 mln. and 3,359 mln. kWh of electricity, respectively (Figure 1). This represents a +11.4% and -3.5% change in total generation compared to the corresponding periods of the previous year (in 2021, the total generation in Q3 was 3,766 mln. kWh and 3,479 mln. kWh in Q4).

Over the past few years, food prices have been increasing and Georgia has been facing food price inflation in the double digits. This is primarily due to international market trends that reflect concerns over decreased production, increased crude oil prices, as well as COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine increased pressure on international food markets already struggling with soaring prices.

According to Geostat's report titled “Tendency of Economic Growth, Indicators of Monthly Economic Statistics”, the real GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2022 is estimated to be 9.5%, which has contributed to an overall annual real GDP growth of 10.1% in 2022.

Historically, hazelnuts have been one of Georgia’s main crops in terms of economic value; as the country is located on the Black Sea coastal area, which has suitable soil and climate conditions for growing hazelnuts. Even as early as the fourth century B.C., populations grew wild forms of hazelnut, which later adapted to local conditions and formed regional varieties (GEONUTS, 2023).

In the first and the second quarters of 2022, Georgian power plants generated 3,107 mln. and 3,663 mln. kWh of electricity, respectively. This represents a 27.9% and 35.3% increase in total generation compared to the corresponding periods of the previous year (in 2021, the total generation in Q1 was 2,429 mln. kWh and 2,708 mln. kWh in Q2).