Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 2 / Trend U. Ismayilova /
As a result of the agrarian reforms in Azerbaijan in the 1990s, agricultural production increased. This led to an increase in the country's export potential, Azerbaijani Agriculture Minister Ismet Abbasov wrote in a recent article.
"The export of agricultural products in 2004 amounted to $137 million, in 2005 - $284 million, in 2006 - $284.5 million, in 2007 - $438.2 million, in 2008 - $406.7 million, in 2009 - $395.1 million," the minister said.
The most part falls to cotton, tobacco, potatoes, vegetables and fruits in the export structure of agricultural production in Azerbaijan.
The minister said that the reconstruction of existing and construction of new factories for processing agricultural products has also created conditions for the export of canned fruits and vegetables, fruit juices and alcoholic beverages.
Thus, exports of agricultural processing in 2004 hit $41 million, in 2005 - $61 million, in 2006 - $103.3 million, in 2007 - $222.6 million, in 2008 - $145.2 million, in 2009 - $162.8 million, Abbasov said.
The agricultural products worth $285.564 million, including crop production at $97.117 million, $16,375 - livestock products and $172.071 million - agricultural products processing was exported within 10 months of 2010.
The volume of agricultural exports decreased by 1.7 percent for 10 months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009. During this period, export of crop production reduced by 62.8 percent, animal production - by 27.6 percent, agricultural products processing - by 39.9 percent.
Minister also said that Azerbaijan imported agricultural products worth $712.512 million in January-October 2010, including $285.382 million of crop products worth $67.879 million of cattle and agricultural products processing - $359.249 million.
The imports of agricultural products increased by 29.3 percent for 10 months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, including crop production - by 37.7 percent, livestock production - 43.6 percent, and agricultural production - 21.1 percent.