Georgia in national tea brand push
Georgian government plans to revive the once vibrant tea industry by merging several tea companies to establish a renowned national brand. The Ministry of Agriculture hopes such a move will boost exports and produce higher revenues for the sector. Georgia's total output was a mere 5,000 tons in 2008, compared to 23,000 tons in 2001 and over 500,000 tons during the Soviet era, when it was the world's fourth largest tea producer. Currently, 90 percent of the tea consumed in Georgia is imported, according to official statistics.