Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Russia is one of the largest importers of Azerbaijani agro-products, said Ilham Guliyev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

The official made the remark while addressing a press conference, dedicated to the 22nd international exhibition "Food Industry" and the 10th Azerbaijan International Exhibition "Agriculture".

“Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are actively and fruitfully developing in politics and economy,” he said, further adding that agricultural machinery, which Azerbaijan purchases on request of local farmers, is highly developed in Russia.

Azerbaijan, in turn, exports fruits, vegetables and melons to Russia, according to Guliyev, who underlined that the volume of Azerbaijani tomatoes exported to Russia has increased five-fold recently.

Russia has always been Azerbaijan's main export market for agricultural and industrial products. After the deterioration of relations with Turkey, Russia’s demand in Azerbaijani agro-products increased. The most critical for Russia became the rejection of Turkish tomatoes, as about 70 percent of tomatoes in the Russian market are imported.

Azerbaijan has entered the top 3 suppliers of agricultural products to Russia among the CIS countries, after Moscow imposed anti-Turkish sanctions.

The deputy minister further said that a delegation of the Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor, visiting Azerbaijan had a chance to get acquainted with the agricultural cultivation procedure in the country.

“The delegation has confirmed the growth potential of supply of agro- products to Russia from Azerbaijan. Following this, the governments of the two countries established a "green corridor" for the export of agricultural products,” he said.

The agreement with Russia was reached in February 2015, which has created the conditions for the smooth transit of the agricultural products of vegetable origin through the corridor.

He also emphasized that the presidential order aimed at stimulating the export potential of the country allowed local producers to receive aid from the state in the amount of 3 percent of the export amount.

“This has become a very good incentive to increase exports both to Russia and other markets," he said.

Energy-rich Azerbaijan is keen to reduce its dependence on petrodollars. In this regard, the country considers the agricultural sector as a tool to diversify the national economy.

With its advantageous geographic location, Azerbaijan has all possibilities to increase export of high quality agro products, which are in great demand in neighboring countries.

Experts believe that with the further development of production of high quality agricultural goods, Azerbaijan will be able not only increase the supply to neighboring countries, but also enter markets in Eastern Europe.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz