Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 22
By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend:
Azerbaijani tobacco producer Azertobacco LLC is holding talks on the supply of its domestically made tobacco produce to Europe, Javid Aghamaliyev, acting director of the company, told Trend.
“We mainly export our produce to CIS states, to Russia, Belarus and Georgia in particular. The total export volume for Russia makes up around 70-80 percent,” said Aghamaliyev.
According to him, the company is currently in talks for the export of its goods to Europe and Africa.
"We have already received orders from Hungary, and negotiations are also underway with Serbia. Indonesia and Israel are also interested in cooperation," said Aghamaliyev.
The acting director also added that 80 percent of Azertutun LLC’s goods accounts for exports, and 20 percent for the local market.
Aghamaliyev stated that the tobacco growing area of the company made up 2.35 thousand hectares in 2018, and it is planned to increase it to 2.4 thousand hectares in 2019.
"Currently, land plots are being measured and accurate data will be available in March. Land plots are being sowed in the Oguz, Gakh, Sheki, Zagatala and Balaken regions of Azerbaijan," he said.
As mentioned by Aghamaliev, Azertutun LLC company only sows the American “Virginia” variety due to it having the greatest demand on the world market.
“When it comes to the local varieties of tobacco, they are inferior in their quality to the American variety, as they are dried in the sun, while the “Virginia” variety is dried in special fire chambers and it has the advantage of retaining more nicotine and sugar in its composition," said the acting director.
Speaking about the plans for 2019, Aghamaliev noted that Azertutun LLC plans to expand the production and processing of tobacco in Sheki and Gakh regions, where 30 additional fire-drying chambers are planned for installation.
"Also, the tobacco processing plant in Zagatala will cease its activities for reconstruction and major repairs in 2019," said the acting director.
"In 2018, 153 people worked at Azertutun LLC on a regular basis and 650 people were involved in seasonal work. In 2019, it is planned to increase the number of regular employees to 173 people, and 800 people will be involved in seasonal work," said the acting director.
It should be noted that Azertutun LLC, established in 2017, is a subsidiary of the Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation.