Representatives of Georgian mineral water producer Nabeglavi and the country’s parliament have commented on Russia’s decision to ban the import and sale of certain Georgian alcoholic beverages and drinks, including the popular mineral water brand.

On October 10, 2026, Russia's Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) prohibited the import and sale of products from several Georgian producers, citing violations of quality requirements. Nabeglavi mineral water was among the products affected, according to Pro Georgia.

Mikheil Svimonishvili, founder of Tskali Marghebeli, the company that produces Nabeglavi, dismissed the quality concerns and said Russia had never been a dominant market for the brand.

“If they don’t need my good Nabeglavi, what can I do? I’m not going to kill myself. Everyone in Georgia loves our water, and that is the most important thing. Russia has never been a dominant market for me. The quality issue is nonsense. We don’t know anything else. Our position from the very beginning has been serious market diversification. We continue to work,” Svimonishvili said.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said the restrictions applied to several companies rather than the entire Georgian wine industry.

“The decision was made against several companies, not against wine as a whole. The grounds for this decision are surprising and unclear to us. The authorities will look into the matter, and we will see. I hope the decision will be changed,” Papuashvili said.

The Russian restrictions have prompted responses from Georgian business representatives and officials, while the affected companies continue to emphasize the importance of diversifying their export markets.