In 2008 the foreign trade turnover with 141 countries comprised $54919.7mln. The amount of export increased by 688.29% as compared to last year and comprised $47756.2mln, while import rose 25.38% to $7163.5mln. The black ink in the foreign trade turnover totaled $40592.7mln. Azerbaijan exported 2,127 types of goods and imported 5,893.
In 2008 the highest level of export fell on July - $17186.2mln and the lowest on March $346.1mln. As to import operations the highest level of import was observed in July ($823.9mln) and the lowest in March ($416.9mln).
The reason for the high index of export in 2008, which was recorded July 2008, when world oil price reached the record level of $147 per barrel, remains as an increase in the export of crude oil, which increased 13.7 times as compared to 2007. The share of oil and oil products in the total volume of the exported goods was 97% last year. The export of oil products in 2008, which demonstrated 23.11% increase as compared to 2007, is connected with the growth in the volume of oil processing in the oil refineries of Azerbaijan.
Since the beginning of 2008, the export of oil products reduced for known reason that starting from January 2007 Azerbaijan transferred to the mazut regime for the electricity generation because of refusal to import Russian gas.
The high index of export as a result of 2008 was also observed due to an increase in the export of ferrous metals and wares from them. The export of this production increased three times as compared to 2007 and was connected with the large volume of production.
Growth was also recorded on the export of aluminum, which increased 33.33% as compared to 2007, chemical production (15.7%), fat and vegetable oil (48.8%), vegetables and fruits (31.9%).
The considerable increase in the export of the agricultural products of Azerbaijan is connected with the rich harvesting of vegetables and fruits. The products, especially vegetables, are sold to Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The low indices of the export of cotton and tobacco is related with the low harvesting as a result of reduction in the areas for their sowing, in particular the cotton sowing in Azerbaijan in 2008 reduced 35.9%.
Structure of export in 2008
|
Product |
Special weight in export, in % |
As compared to 2007, in% |
|
Crude oil |
92,49 |
13,7 раз |
|
Oil products |
4,30 |
123,11 |
|
Aluminum |
0,26 |
133,33 |
|
Fruits and vegetables |
0,45 |
131,92 |
|
Fat and vegetable oil |
0,26 |
148,78 |
|
Ferrous metal and wares of them |
0,48 |
301,31 |
|
Chemical products |
0,23 |
115,68 |
|
Cotton |
0,03 |
46,23 |
|
Alcohol and alcohol free drinks |
0,04 |
90,11 |
|
Tobacco and tobacco products |
0,01 |
54,59 |
|
Others |
1,45 |
Source: State Statistics Committee
In this period the highest amount of export fell on Italy. Thus, in 2008 Azerbaijan exported commodities to Italy totaling $19220.2mln which makes up 40.25% of all export. Italy is trailed by the USA ($6014.3mln) and Israel ($3605.8mln).
The share of public sector in export operations made up $18058.2mln (37.8%), private sector held $29504.3mln (61.78%). The share of export operations by physical entities comprised $193.7mln (0.41%).
The largest growth in the import was recorded with regards to the transport means and their spare parts (37.6%). During the year, large capacity passenger transport means were imported to the country to use in the capital. In 2008 Azerbaijan imported nearly 90,000 passenger cars and 1,500 buses.
The smallest volume of the import into Azerbaijan fell on gas due to country's refusal to import Russian gas since 2007.
Structure of import in 2008
|
Product |
Special weight in export, in % |
As compared to 2007, in% |
|
Machine and equipment |
30,82 |
127,91 |
|
Ferrous metal and wares of them |
9,30 |
108,38 |
|
Foodstuffs |
12,50 |
125,88 |
|
Consumer goods |
0,72 |
100,24 |
|
Transport conveyances and spare parts to it |
16,98 |
137,63 |
|
Furniture |
0,56 |
116,93 |
|
Forest products |
1,16 |
115,06 |
|
Pharmaceutical products |
1,51 |
118,41 |
|
Other |
26,46 |
Source: State Statistics Committee
The traditional domination of three countries in import seems to be as: Russia ($1348.9mln), despite cessation of gas import, Turkey ($807.3mln). Germany with $598.6mln occupies the third place.
Some 24.7% of import operations, or $1771.4mln fell on public sector, 70.1% or $5024.7mln - private sector, while 5.13% or $367.4mln - on physical entities.
In total, 4,364 legal entities and 8,901 physical entities participated in the foreign trade operations.
In 2008, Azerbaijan imported goods amounting to $2340.4mln (32.7% out of the total volume of the country's import) from the CIS countries. Amount of the Azerbaijani goods exported to CIS countries totaled $1619.6mln (3.39% out of the total volume of the country's export).
Azerbaijan exported to CIS mineral fuel, oil products, chemical substances, animal and vegetable oil, vegetables, etc.
CIS exported to Azerbaijan grains, equipment, mechanical rigs, ferrous metal rigs and wares of it, etc.
The red ink from the export-import operations totaled $720.7mln.