Russia’s Chief Sanitary Agency Warns Georgia Over Wine Quality

Russia’s state consumer protection agency, RosPotrebNadzor, said on July 19 that in the first half of 2018 it blocked the shipment of over 16 thousand liters of Georgian wine, citing failure to meet safety and quality requirements.

“Analysis of the product quality and safety shows violation of production technology and insufficient level of control both from the producers and the respective Georgian authorities,” RosPotrebNadzor said, adding that the agency would further tighten control of alcoholic beverages from Georgia.

The Georgian National Wine Agency responded to RosPotrebNadzor on July 20, saying all types of Georgian export wines have been undergoing the mandatory evaluation process from January 1, 2018, and that the ones failing to meet the requirements are removed from export.

The National Wine Agency then noted that it was willing to continue working with the private sector and “respective state agencies” to ensure that the Georgian wines “meet relevant standards and requirements.”

According to the National Wine Agency, Russia is the country’s largest wine export markets with 24 million bottles sent in the first half of 2018, which is 24% increase year-to-year.

RosPotrebNadzor ordered a ban on import of Georgian wines, mineral waters and other products in 2006, citing consumer safety concerns, re-opening its market later in 2013.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)