BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Trade turnover between China and Georgia reached $1.8 billion in the first half of 2026, increasing by 20.5% year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.
China’s exports to Georgia amounted to $1.41 billion in January-June 2026, while Georgian exports to China reached $389.7 million. The fastest growth was recorded in Georgia’s exports to China, which increased by 195% compared with the same period of 2025. In June alone, bilateral trade amounted to $352.9 million, including $286.5 million in Chinese exports and $66.4 million in imports from Georgia.
The growth in trade flows comes amid efforts to further develop connectivity between Asia and Europe through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. The route connects China with European markets through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, providing an alternative logistics link between East and West.
Commenting on the development of the Middle Corridor, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) told Trend that the route offers significant opportunities for strengthening trade links between Europe and Asia.
"The development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or Middle Corridor, offers a major opportunity to strengthen trade links between Europe and Asia. By improving infrastructure, streamlining border procedures and deepening regional cooperation, countries along the route can help create more efficient, resilient and sustainable trade routes," the OECD said.
The organization noted that Kazakhstan’s role in Eurasian connectivity is closely linked with the development of the Middle Corridor, while emphasizing the importance of infrastructure modernization and regional cooperation for expanding trade opportunities.
Georgia plays a key role in the Middle Corridor as a link between the Caspian region and European markets through its railway network, ports on the Black Sea and logistics infrastructure.
The expansion of China-Georgia trade also takes place within the framework of the China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2017 and was the first such agreement signed by China with a Eurasian country.
Trend’s analysis shows that the 20.5% increase in China-Georgia trade is notable, but the more significant development is the structure of growth. While Chinese exports continue to represent the larger share of bilateral trade, Georgian exports to China increased nearly three times year-on-year, indicating stronger access for Georgian products in the Chinese market.
The growth of Georgian exports reflects the gradual expansion of trade beyond traditional regional markets. Georgia has been promoting agricultural and food products, including wine, mineral water, nuts and other goods, in China, supported by preferential trade conditions under the bilateral free trade agreement.
The figures also highlight the growing importance of transport connectivity for bilateral economic relations. As trade volumes between China and Georgia expand, efficient logistics routes become increasingly important, particularly through the Middle Corridor, where Georgia serves as a key transit link between Central Asia and European markets.
For the Middle Corridor, rising trade between China and countries along the route provides an additional economic foundation for infrastructure development. The corridor’s competitiveness depends not only on physical infrastructure such as railways and ports, but also on coordinated customs procedures, digitalization and closer cooperation among participating countries.
At the same time, China-Georgia trade remains relatively balanced in terms of growth dynamics rather than absolute volumes, with Chinese exports still significantly exceeding Georgian supplies. Further development of logistics capacity and broader market access could help Georgia increase its role from a transit country to a more active participant in Eurasian trade flows.
In Trend’s assessment, the combination of expanding bilateral trade and continued investment in Middle Corridor infrastructure creates additional opportunities for Georgia and other participating countries to strengthen their position in Asia-Europe supply chains.
