In January-July 2024, Azerbaijan exported 368,549 tons of fruits and vegetables worth $383,863,000. According to the calculations of the State Customs Committee, compared to the same period last year, the value of fruits and vegetables exported from the country decreased by four percent or $16.3 million, and the volume decreased by 7.2 percent or 28.4 thousand tons. In the first seven months of 2023, Azerbaijan exported 396.9 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables worth $400,118,000.
During the reporting period, the main exported fruit and vegetable products were 116.9 thousand tons of tomatoes worth 139.5 million dollars, 8,844 tons of hazelnuts worth 54.5 million dollars, 35.4 thousand tons of dates worth 27.8 million dollars, 35.4 thousand tons of apples worth 23.6 million dollars, worth 20.4 million dollars. 48.2 thousand tons of potatoes and 3,651 tons of pomegranates worth 3.3 million dollars were produced.
If we look at the statistics, although Azerbaijan’s fruit and vegetable exports grew at an increasing pace in previous periods, they are currently declining. What are the reasons for the decline? How can we improve our prospects in this area? Is it possible to increase our fruit and vegetable export revenues to $1 billion?
“Caspian” The newspaper sought answers to these and other questions in its next article.
Export continues
According to Elmar Allahverdiyev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Scientific Research Institute of Vegetables, it is difficult to express a concrete opinion on the export of fruit and vegetables. Because everything can change for the next period: “The mentioned statistics are much better indicators for the period in question. But we must not forget that 2024 is not over yet and exports continue. Fruit and vegetable products will be exported until the end of the year. For example, late apples and pears have not yet been harvested and will be exported abroad. There are also other vegetables that will continue to be harvested.
According to the President, the agricultural sector in Azerbaijan is developing year after year. In addition, our export potential is increasing: “There are sufficient prospects for the production of agricultural products in our country. Moreover, if we look at the statistics, we see that they are increasing year after year. The government is taking serious steps to develop agricultural products. In this field, subsidies and aid are provided to farmers. This, of course, pays off. Newer, more modern gardens are being built and modern irrigation systems are being used, which leads to an increase in productivity.”
“The volume of exports will continuously decrease”
Economist Parviz Heydarov explained the reasons for the decline in export volumes and revenues: “The decline in exports of fruit and vegetables from our country until July is not a cause for concern. We expected it in advance. One of the reasons for the decline is that the bulk of Azerbaijan’s fruit and vegetable exports are accounted for by Russia.” In connection with the situation on the Russian markets, a decline in value and volume is noted in the Russian-Ukrainian war. If the war continues for a long time, exports of non-oil products will continue to decline.
Türkiye, Middle East…
According to P. Heydarov, the current situation is not so encouraging and promising. Therefore, a way out of these problems must be found: “If we want to see increases in both volume and value in terms of export, we must necessarily ensure our access to additional markets. Otherwise, the current decline in this sector will continue.” Of course, this also affects the priorities set in the country’s economy. Our dependence on the Russian market had to show its negative effects. That is why we had to think about alternative markets before such developments occurred.”
“We have no alternative markets”
As for the question of our revenues exceeding the billion-dollar mark, the economist said that realistically this is not yet possible: “The reason is that we have no alternative markets. The market we depend on is collapsing. The Russian market is currently not very efficient for exporting products. In the field of vegetables, we need to think about our access to Turkey and other promising markets and take appropriate measures before it is too late. Unfortunately, no concrete policy has been implemented. In this respect, I think we are late so far.
