Priority markets for local fruits, vegetables exports disclosed
Azerbaijan is a country perfectly suited for growing fruits and vegetables. Favorable geographical location and climate conditions enable Azerbaijani producers to harvest crops several times a year and significantly extend their fruit and vegetable season. Moreover, the country has an advantage of relatively low production and labor costs.
Russia and the CIS countries are currently the priority markets for the export of Azerbaijani fruit and vegetable products, Bashir Guliyev, chairman of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Azerbaijan, told Trend.
“As of today, the Russian market is the main export direction for us. Azerbaijan also exports to CIS countries, mainly to those located north of our country. As for Europe, then currently there is very strong competition in this area. The North European market is provided by the countries of North Africa and Southern Europe. Consumption in the Nordic countries does not exceed the volume of supplies today,” Guliyev said.
He went on to say that Azerbaijani state fully supports local producers and exporters.
“We are in close contact with entrepreneurs on this issue, and I can say all state structures in Azerbaijan are trying to support producers and exporters of fruit and vegetables as much as possible,” Guliyev said.
He noted that today all necessary conditions have been created for manufacturers and exporters, and they have no complaints.
Presently, the government is implementing various measures for development of entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan. The government provides privileges to business, modernizes legislation, and carries out large-scale reforms.
Industrial parks and quarters, agro-parks and high-tech parks are operating in the country. Their residents are exempt from various taxes and duties for seven years, and they also have access to all necessary infrastructure for their operation.
In addition, local entrepreneurs can also take advantage of mechanisms to encourage exports and investments. In the first case, the government returns part of the cost of products exported and in the second case the government provides various tax and customs benefits.
To support local producers, the government also organizes export missions, helps entrepreneurs to participate in exhibitions in foreign countries and implements other measures.
Promotion of the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand on foreign markets became one of the priorities of the country’s foreign economic policy.
The export missions play an important role in expanding non-oil exports and promoting the domestic made products. To date, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) has organized 13 export missions to 10 foreign countries-Germany, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Hungary, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
Exhibitions, organized by the state bring excellent results. National entrepreneurs took part in different international exhibitions-Gulfood 2017, Prowein, ANUGA, Worldfood Moscow 2017 and the International Exhibition of Wines and Alcoholic Beverages in Hong Kong to promote the brand.
President Ilham Aliyev signed the decree on large-scale promotion of local non-oil products in foreign markets under “Made in Azerbaijan” brand on October 5, 2016.
According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, fruit and vegetable exports hit $58.4 million in January-February 2018, almost 51 percent more than in the same period last year.
Azerbaijan exported fruits and vegetables worth $502.8 million in 2017.
Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Azerbaijan was established in August 2016. The main goal of the Association is to coordinate the activities of local entrepreneurs engaged in this field, increase production and boost export opportunities.