Azerbaijan increases exports of fruits and vegetables by almost a quarter
By Rashid Shirinov
Production of fruits and vegetables in Azerbaijan increased by 19 percent in January-May 2018 compared to the same period last year.
Bashir Guliyev, chairman of the Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Azerbaijan made the remark at the meeting of the Association members in Baku on July 2.
As for the exports of fruits and vegetables, it has increased by 23 percent compared to January-May last year.
“The increase in exports is one of the most important tasks facing us today. At the very least, we must prevent its decline and maintain exports at the same level,” Guliyev said.
He noted that the Association is doing extensive work to expand the geography of exports, but one should not forget about the traditional markets for Azerbaijan.
“One of these markets is Russia, and therefore I urge all members of the Association to participate more actively in the exhibitions held in Russia,” Guliyev said.
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 export opportunities.
The data by the State Customs Committee says that Azerbaijan exported fruit and vegetable products worth about $503 million by the end of 2017. In January-May 2018, exports amounted to 201,300 tons of products for $189.77 million.
During the meeting, Araz Ismayilov, head of the Department for Work with Farmers, Associations and Cooperatives of the Agriculture Ministry, said that the ministry is ready to support producers of fruits and vegetables in the issue of purchasing the necessary agricultural machinery.
“We are ready to support the supply of the necessary equipment and machinery to the farmers through Agroleasing OJSC. Farmers, as well as producers and exporters of fruits and vegetables will be able to obtain any equipment by leasing for a period of 10 years,” he noted.
Ismayilov added that farmers can already apply for the necessary equipment.
“The farmers can send all their wishes to the Association, which will prepare a relevant list and send it to us. All of the farmers’ wishes will be taken into account in the state budget for 2019,” he said.
The rules of transfer to leasing say that when purchasing by leasing, the user of machinery and technological equipment belonging to Agroleasing OJSC must make an advance payment of at least 10 percent of the cost of the equipment. The remaining part must be paid within 10 years.
The activity of Agroleasing OJSC is aimed at improving the situation in the agricultural sector and supporting entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan by purchasing and leasing various agricultural machinery to local landowners.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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