BAKU, Azerbaijan, Mar. 19
By Fidan Babyeva - Trend:
Only 5 percent of hazelnut products are supplied to the domestic market, Ismayil Orujov, Director of the Azerbaijan Hazelnut Producers and Exporters Association, told Trend.
The director noted that 95 percent of all manufactured products are exported abroad.
“Hazelnut productivity amounted to 23,157 tons in 2019. Domestic sales amounted to 1,157 tons. Over the past three years, the yield of hazelnuts has increased by two times. Presently, the planted area is 83,000 hectares. For comparison, three years ago, hazelnut plantings occupied about 40,000 hectares. After expanding the planted area of hazelnuts, it is planned to increase the geography of exports,” Orujov emphasized.
The expert added that the approximate production of hazelnuts for 2020 will be known only at the end of April, since spring climatic conditions strongly affect its productivity.
“The bulk of current exports are carried in containers to Russia and Italy. In 2019, 22,000 tons of hazelnuts were exported to foreign markets. Export revenue totaled $125 million,” he said.
Touching upon the topic of expanding export borders, the director noted that after participating in the Gulfood-2020 international food and beverage exhibition in Dubai (UAE), which was held on February 16-20, many foreign companies expressed their interest in importing Azerbaijani hazelnuts, so measures to implement these plans are already taken.
The main walnut orchards are located in the country's Gakh, Zagatala, Balakan districts.
The Azerbaijan Hazelnut Producers and Exporters Association was established in 2016 and now has 60 organizations on the hazelnut production.
Presently, Turkey is the largest producer of hazelnuts in the world, with a 75 percent share of the global market. Azerbaijan’s share in the world is only four percent; however, as noted by foreign media, the country has great potential in this field.
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