In January to March 2009 the foreign trade turnover with 108 countries comprised $3804.4mln. The amount of export increased by 60.77% as compared to last year and comprised $2482.3mln, while import declined 2.25% to $1322.1mln.
Azerbaijan exported 972 types and imported 4,148 types of goods. The black ink in the foreign trade turnover totaled $1160.2mln.
In this period the highest level of export fell on March - $989.9mln and the lowest on January - $694.4mln. As to import operations the highest level of import was observed in January ($518.2mln) and the lowest in March ($395.8mln).
The export of oil, animal and vegetable oil saw an increase in January-March 2009. The fruit and vegetable production fell due to seasonal reasons. Fruits and vegetables are mainly exported to Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Orders are placed a year in advance. Drop in chemical products affected its export as well. The ferrous metal and oil exports also shrank. Crude oil accounts for the greatest part of exports (82.70%).
Structure of export in January-March 2009
|
Product |
Percentage in export (%) |
As compared to 2008, in % |
|
Crude oil |
82,70 |
245,45 |
|
Oil products |
8,94 |
50,58 |
|
Aluminum |
0,45 |
32,34 |
|
Fruits and vegetables |
0,59 |
63,97 |
|
Fat and vegetable oil |
1,23 |
101,83 |
|
Ferrous metal and wares of them |
0,29 |
29,75 |
|
Chemical products |
0,14 |
12,55 |
|
Cotton |
0,06 |
55,58 |
|
Alcohol and alcohol free drinks |
0,07 |
37,60 |
|
Tobacco and tobacco products |
0,05 |
125,53 |
|
Others |
5,49 |
Source: State Statistics Committee
In this period the highest amount of export fell on Italy. Thus, in 2009 Azerbaijan exported commodities to Italy totaling $763.3mln which makes up 30.75% of total exports. Italy is trailed by France ($335.6mln) and the USA ($225.1mln). It is noticeable that Italy has maintained its leading position since 2008 excluding early three months. Turkey took a lead in Jan. and U.S. in Feb. and March 2008.
The share of public sector in exports made up $2354.6mln (94.85%), private sector held $115.5mln (4.65%). The share of export operations by physical entities comprised $12.2mln (0.49%).
The largest growth in the import was recorded with regards to furniture.
Reduction of import of cars to Azerbaijan during the reported period is connected with influence of global financial crisis when car sale reduced because of restriction of credits by the banks. According to the data provided by the State Customs Committee, in January-March Azerbaijan imported 16,762 cars totaling $103.5mln, a decrease of 56.8%.
Structure of import in January-March 2009
|
Product |
Percentage in exports (%) |
As compared to 2008, in% |
|
Machine and equipment |
33,28 |
117,45 |
|
Ferrous metal and wares of them |
8,50 |
107,14 |
|
Foodstuffs |
14,39 |
107,50 |
|
Consumer goods |
0,67 |
85,30 |
|
Transport conveyances and spare parts to it |
13,43 |
59,29 |
|
Furniture |
0,74 |
125,75 |
|
Forest products |
0,82 |
62,73 |
|
Pharmaceutical products |
1,84 |
115,78 |
|
Other |
26,33 |
Source: State Statistics Committee
The traditional domination of three countries in import seems to be as: Russia ($232.1mln), Germany ($163.3mln) and Turkey with $162.3mln.
Some 24.72% of import operations, or $326.8mln fell on public sector, 70.57% or $932.2mln - private sector, while 4.78% or $63.2mln - on physical entities.
In total, 4,814 legal and physical entities participated in the foreign trade operations.
In 2009, Azerbaijan imported goods amounting to $388.9mln (29.42% out of the total volume of the country's import) from the CIS countries. CIS exported to Azerbaijan grains (18.68%), land vehicles (10.23%), equipment and mechanical rigs (13.08%), tobacco and its substitute (5.89%).
Amount of the Azerbaijani goods exported to CIS countries totaled $240.2mln (9.68% out of the total volume of the country's export). Azerbaijan exported to CIS mineral fuel, oil products, bitumen minerals (53.56%), fruits (4.75%), animal and vegetable oil (12.63%).
The red ink from the export-import operations totaled $148.7mln.