In the northern region of Azerbaijan, old apple trees are being uprooted and new intensive orchards are being planted. Therefore, the decline in exports is temporary.
Since the beginning of this year, Azerbaijan has reduced the export of apples, but income from deliveries has grown, which is associated with a rise in the price of this product.
Deliveries reached almost 20 thousand tons
According to the State Customs Committee, in January-July 2022, Azerbaijan exported 19,703 tons of apples worth $13,226,000. In the same period last year, deliveries abroad amounted to 27,571 tons in the amount of 12 million 616 thousand dollars. Thus, over the year, the export of Azerbaijani apples decreased by 28.5% in quantitative terms, and in value terms it increased by 4.8%.
Russia is the main importer of apples from Azerbaijan
In the first half of this year, Azerbaijan exported 17,981 tons of apples to Russia in the amount of $12,104,000. In the same period last year, this figure was at the level of 24,580 tons in the amount of 11 million 242 thousand dollars. Over the year, the export of Azerbaijani apples to the Russian Federation decreased by 26.8% in quantitative terms, and in value terms it increased by 7.7%. Thus, in the reporting period, 96.25% of exports went to Russia. Azerbaijan exported more than 18,000 tons of apples in the first half of 2022.
The future is in new varieties
Agricultural expert Mirjavid Hasanov told Sputnik Azerbaijan that demand for Azerbaijani apples has increased in Russia, and, consequently, prices have increased.
“This fruit is grown in Azerbaijan mainly in the northern region. Old apple trees are uprooted here and new intensive orchards are planted. Therefore, the reduction in exports is temporary. After a while, young apple trees will begin to bear fruit, and the volume of deliveries abroad will increase again,” Gasanov said.
According to him, new varieties of apple trees are planted today, the fruits of which are sold on the world market at a higher price.
Sold at a good price
The expert said that this year apples are sold at a good price. “Currently, a kilogram of fruit is sold in orchards for 1-1.2 manats. Delivery of a kilogram of apples to Russia, taking into account the cost, is 3.5-4 manats. Planting apple trees is profitable. In general, it is desirable to plant export-oriented fruit trees,” Hasanov said.
In 2021, apple production in Azerbaijan increased by 20.3% compared to 2015 and by 2.3% compared to 2020, to 308.4 thousand tons. Last year, 41.9% of all apples grown in Azerbaijan fell on Guba, 17% – Khachmaz, 11.3% – Gusar regions, 4.9% – Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Export of products amounted to 21.7% of the total production. At the same time, last year 94.1% of the export of Azerbaijani apples fell on Russia, 4.6% – on Kazakhstan, 0.3% – on Iran, 1% – on other countries.
Export restrictions lifted
Recall that in December 2020, problems arose in the export of Azerbaijani apples and tomatoes to Russia due to the detection of pests in them. However, thanks to the cooperation of the parties, they were resolved. In March 2022, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation completely lifted restrictions on the import of these products from Azerbaijan.
