Azerbaijani wines to reach Kazakh market
By Kamila Aliyeva
Negotiations on the export of Azerbaijani wines to Kazakhstan and organization of their sales in this country have been launched.
The Azerbaijani embassy in Astana reported that certain results have already been achieved in this direction.
A presentation and tasting of Azerbaijani wines were held in Astana on the initiative of the Azerbaijani embassy. “A number of countries engaged in the production and export of wine products on a large scale, including Georgia, are already using this practice," the embassy said.
Heads of more than 40 diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan, ambassadors, representatives of state structures, well-known people took part in the event held under the ‘Made in Azerbaijan’ brand.
The head of the Enterprise Specializing in wine production, Elmar Saidov, speaking about the presented products, said that the equipment brought from Germany, Italy, France and Japan allows producing the best quality wines for the export.
"One of these wines - Chardonnay - has turned into the best-selling dry wine in the world. A variety of Chardonnay grapes is grown in several countries of the world, including Azerbaijan," Saidov said.
The ambassadors of Bulgaria, Hungary and other countries, known for their wine products, highly appreciated the quality of the tasted wines.
Similar events are planned to be held in several regions of Kazakhstan. The Azerbaijani embassy in cooperation with the Kazakhstan’s government agencies intends to ensure the participation of Azerbaijani entrepreneurs in exhibitions and fairs with a single national stand or individually in cities such as Astana, Almaty, Petropavlovsk, Kostanay, Shymkent.
Azerbaijani wines are sold under the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand.
Wine-making has switched to the new level of development in Azerbaijan due to programs implemented in the country aimed at expansion of non-oil sector.
Today, Azerbaijan produces 20 million bottles of wine per year, while the annual production capacity of the country’s wineries is 100 million bottles.
Recently, the country launched wine export to new markets such as China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, the U.S. and some European countries.
Overall, the wine export of Azerbaijan hit $3.5 million in 2016.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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