Abkhazia has started exporting its new tangerine crop to Russia, marking the start of this year's citrus export season, according to Marina Zhupanova, spokesperson for the Sochi customs office, who spoke to Interfax.
Zhupanova stated that the "tangerine season has opened on the Russia–Abkhazia border," with the first commercial shipments entering Russia in late September. So far, Sochi customs officials have inspected 153 tons of tangerines, including around 50 tons delivered within the past 24 hours. Due to the perishable nature of citrus fruits, customs clearance and inspection of such shipments are given priority processing at the Sochi checkpoint, she said.
Alongside tangerines, Abkhazia has exported 67 tons of feijoa, 3 tons of persimmons, 4.5 tons of lemons, and 22 tons of hazelnuts. In total, more than 250 tons of agricultural produce from the new harvest have crossed into Russia this season.
Zhupanova noted that the early start to this year's fruit and vegetable exports was driven by unusually warm weather. During the 2024–2025 season, which ran from October through April, Russia imported 36,000 tons of tangerines from Abkhazia. This year's supply volume is expected to reach similar levels, though the de facto agriculture ministry has forecast a smaller crop of around 30,000 tons, about 6,000 to 7,000 tons less than last year. The decline is attributed to heavy rainfall during flowering, a brief cold snap, and subsequent drought conditions.
Current exports mainly consist of early-ripening tangerine varieties. As in previous years, nearly all tangerines produced in Abkhazia are shipped to Russia. The export season typically runs from October to March, peaking in December during the New Year holiday period, when citrus demand in Russia is highest.
During the Soviet era, Abkhazia's citrus industry covered about 11,000 hectares and produced up to 120,000 tons annually. Today, citrus plantations occupy approximately 2,900 hectares, yielding between 50,000 and 52,000 tons in productive years.
Russia also imports tangerines from Turkey, Morocco, China, and other suppliers, with Abkhazian fruit accounting for an estimated 3% to 7% of total imports, equivalent to roughly 20,000 to 60,000 tons per year.
Source: D & F Watch
