Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 11
By Matanat Nasibova - Trend:
Azerbaijan’s Zagatala, Gakh, Sheki and Gabala districts are among the more favorable regions for honey production in the country, head of Azerbaijan Beekeepers Association (ABA) Badraddin Hasratov told Trend.
Hasratov said that a research conducted recently in the field of beekeeping revealed two new regions where the largest increase in honey production was noted, these being the Kurdamir and Yevlakh districts.
"It is worth mentioning that our Japanese partners asked us to export honey produced specifically in Kurdamir and Yevlakh. We sent various samples of honey to Japan, among which preference was given to products from these two districts. Azerbaijan has 11 climatic zones, each of which makes it possible to produce more than 5-10 varieties of honey," he added.
Moreover, he noted that other favorable regions for honey production in the country include the vicinity of the city of Ganja, as well as the territories of Astara, Masalli and Lankaran districts.
The head of ABA noted that chestnut honey, which is also widely used for medicinal purposes, is currently considered to be the most expensive variety of honey.
"The price of this variety of honey in the domestic market is 40 manats on average, while its export price does not exceed $12 per kilogram, which is due to great competition in foreign markets," he explained.
Hasratov also noted that the largest competition for Azerbaijan in the honey market in the world market comes from Ukraine and Argentina.
"Azerbaijan has advanced a couple of steps in the global honey market. For example, we have outstripped neighboring Georgia, considered one of the most successful countries in the field of beekeeping, in terms of production and export," he said.