Azerbaijan increases fruit production
By Nigar Orujova
Fruit production in Azerbaijan has increased over the past seven years.
A 26 percent increase was recorded in the fruit and berries production in Azerbaijan from 2007to 2013. The State Statistics Committee reported that 6.77 million tons of fruits and berries were produced in Azerbaijan in 2007, while in 2013 the production grew to 8.5 million tons.
Another increase was also recorded in the production between 2007 and 2013. Thus, 7.12 million tons were produced in 2008, 7.18 million tons in 2009, 7.29 million tons in 2010, 7.65 million tons in 2011, and 8.1 million tons in 2012.
Earlier, it was reported that Azerbaijan has increased export of fruits and vegetables by 20.5 percent this year. Export of agricultural products from Azerbaijan to Russia doubled in the first six months of 2014.
Azerbaijani products have gained a chance to take a major role in the Russian market following Moscow's decision to ban import of fruits and vegetable from European countries since August.
Nizami Garayev, an expert in agriculture told local media, that on the backdrop of the economic war between the West and Russia; more favorable grounds have been created for export of Azerbaijani fruits.
The circumstances are favorable because of the sharp increase in demand for Azerbaijan's agricultural products in the Russian markets, he added.
"It is no coincidence that influential people in the Russian government said that agricultural production in Azerbaijan is of higher quality compared to their European counterparts. This is true. Azerbaijan products are of high quality. In addition, the production has its own customers in the Russian market," Garayev said.
Azerbaijan's delicious, high quality and organic agricultural products have always been significantly demanded in Russia.
Recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview, "There is no doubt about the quality of fruits and vegetables imported from Azerbaijan."
Garayev predicts that if the confrontation between the West and Russia continues for the next couple of years, the demand for Azerbaijani products on the Russian market will rise.
"Azerbaijani farmers have begun to expand their production. Apples, persimmons, cherries are traditionally exported from Azerbaijan to the Russian market," he said.
However, Garayev noted that one should also take into account the distinctive features of the fruits production.
"Unlike vegetables, fruit cultivation requires many years. At least five years are required to create an orchard. In this case, it is impossible to achieve tangible changes without large investments. Anyway, farmers in Azerbaijan should work harder to increase production of fruits. In this scenario, these fruits can be exported to the Russian market in six years. If the conflict between Russia and the West continues, the increase in the production of fruits would be an appropriate strategy," he said.
On a par with the Russian market, Azerbaijan must also pay attention to Arab markets, Garayev said. "If the relations between Europe and Russia normalize, the fruit can also be exported to the Arab countries. Arab markets in Azerbaijan are not yet considered as a potential market for these products."
However, Azerbaijan can export its products to these markets easily. It would be more appropriate if Azerbaijani farmers take into account these realities, Garayev stressed.