Azerbaijan, Baku, May 17 / Trend U.Ismayilova /
The Azerbaijani Agriculture Ministry actively cooperates with the Azerbaijani Poultry Farmers Society to solve fodder problems, particularly lobbying for lower VAT on food imports, Deputy Agriculture Minister Bahram Aliyev said.
"The ministry had a meeting with the society's representatives and conducted discussions to take measures to strengthen this process," Aliyev said.
He said the ministry is also interested in reducing the tax on feed imports, which will accelerate the sector's development, as there is serious demand for poultry meat in Azerbaijan.
"Plans include increasing meat production in the country to 340,000 tons, of which 80,000 tons falls to poultry, under a state program to ensure food products for the people in 2008-2015. Azerbaijan plans to produce 30,000-40,000 tons of poultry meat in 2010, which is 10.5 percent more than in 2009," Aliyev said.
The society applied to the government with a proposal to institute imports on feed and other poultry products free from VAT, society head Aydin Valiyev said earlier.
"Some 90 percent of the feed for birds is imported. It leads to big expenses for broiler factories," Valiyev said.
He said many poultry factories face problems due to the large expenses of keeping birds.
Merdeken Broyler and Hovsan Broyler suspended their activities in October 2008 due to a lack of funds to maintain factories.
The Azerbaijani Poultry Farmers Society includes 29 enterprises.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at: [email protected]