Azerbaijani Tomato Exports Encounter Inspection Setbacks
Farmers, agronomists, and stakeholders in the vegetable industry are closely monitoring developments as Azerbaijan navigates challenges in tomato exports. Recent reports from the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA) highlight significant issues encountered during export inspections this year.
According to Vafa Rustamova, a sector head at AFSA, tomatoes intended for export faced scrutiny due to the presence of harmful substances. When such issues arise, rigorous risk-oriented assessments are conducted. Based on the findings, affected products are either returned to Azerbaijan or undergo destruction, preventing their entry into foreign markets.
Azerbaijan holds a prominent position as one of the largest tomato producers and exporters in the region. Key destinations for Azerbaijani tomatoes include Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, underscoring their strategic importance in regional trade.
