BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 9
By Fidan Babayeva – Trend:
Azerbaijan will export hazelnuts to Russia and Italy by the end of 2020, Chairman of the Association of Hazelnut Producers and Exporters Ismayil Orujov told Trend.
He said Azerbaijani hazelnuts are used in Italy in the production of chocolate and other confectionery products of the Ferrero company.
Orujov noted that the government's measures to promote products under the ‘Made in Azerbaijan’ brand to foreign markets also contribute to the expansion of hazelnut supplies.
“In 2019, the hazelnut harvest in Azerbaijan amounted to 20,000 tons. The volume of exports since the beginning of the season amounted to 14,000 tons, and the remaining 4 tons fell on the domestic market of the country,” he said.
“Currently, Azerbaijan occupies one of the leading positions in the world on the hazelnut production. It is necessary to continue the development of this area in order to further strengthen the position,” said the chairman.
During the period of the coronavirus-related special quarantine regime, Azerbaijani hazelnuts were exported to Russia, some European countries, Orujov said.
Speaking about prices and competition in this area on the world markets, he said that the prices for Azerbaijani hazelnuts could be influenced by a foreign competitor - Californian almonds.
Prices for hazelnuts in the domestic market have not changed, despite a sharp decline in sales, Orujov said.
The Association of Hazelnut Producers and Exporters of Azerbaijan was registered in the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan on October 31, 2016.