Review of agriculture in Azerbaijan (2011)

The increasing state concern for the agricultural sector contributed to the positive results in this sector in 2011. According to the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, the cost of agricultural production in constant prices increased by 5.8 percent in 2011 compared to 2010 and amounted to 4.525.2 billion manat, including the plant cultivation - by 8 percent, cattle breeding - 3.5 percent.

The President instructed to establish the Special Commission to improve the governance of the agrarian sector and agricultural science to develop Azerbaijan's agrarian sector in 2011. The establishment of a commission is stipulated by the fact that there is a need to improve governance in the agricultural sector and increase the efficiency of the activity of the relevant research institutions, as well as other relevant bodies aimed at reorganizing the agricultural science to continue the agrarian reforms.

In late 2011, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed another important decree to approve the "State program on development of viticulture in Azerbaijan in 2012-2020", aimed at reviving the strategic sector of agriculture in the country - viticulture.

Plant cultivation

According to the preliminary data of the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, Azerbaijan gathered 2.458.5 billion tons of grain as of 2011, or 22.9 percent more than in 2010.

About 25.4 quintals of grain were gathered from each hectare of land. The sown area was 967,000 hectares.

The production of raw cotton last year increased by 1.7 times to 65,300 tons. The increase in the sown area from 30,200 hectares in 2010 to 42,800 hectares in 2011, as well as the increase in the average productivity by 20.5 percent to 15.3 quintals compared to 2011 were the main reason for the growth of raw cotton production.

Tobacco production last year also increased by 10.6 percent to 3,600 tons. The increase in sown area by 6.5 percent and the average yield by 3.8 percent compared to last year were the reason for the growth of tobacco production.

Sugar beet was sown to process it in the area of 7,300 hectares of land in the country in 2011. About 254,700 tons of the crop were gathered. Sugar beet production dropped by 0.9 percent, or 2,400 tons in 2011 compared to 2010.

About 938,500 tons of potatoes, 1.214.8 billion tons of vegetables were gathered in 2011 or 1.6 percent less and 2.1 percent respectively more than in 2010. Production of watermelons last year increased by 10.3 percent to 478,000 tons.

About 765,800 tons of fruits and berries were produced in 2011 or 5.0 percent more than in 2010.

Tea leaves production in Azerbaijan in 2011 decreased by 2 percent to 534 tons. There was a new tea plantation in an area of ​​251.5 hectares in 2011.

The total area of ​​tea plantations hit 803,000 hectares.

There is a similar situation with the development of wine growing in Azerbaijan. Last year, the sown area was increased by 747.9 hectares. As a result, the total area of vineyards in the country amounted to 15,900 hectares. In 2011, grape production in the country increased by 5.8 percent or 7,500 tons and hit 137,000 tons.

The situation with the production and productivity of some crops

Source: State Statistics Committee

Last year's autumn-winter field work was completed successfully. About 1.040.1 billion hectares were plowed to get the harvest in 2012. About 968,200 sown hectares fell to grain and green fodder. About 956,400 hectares were sown. The cultivated area of wheat hit 689,100 hectares (weight hit 72.1 percent), barley - 267,300 hectares (27.9 percent).

Grain crops increased by 4.5 percent compared to the same period of 2010. In particular, 4.3 percent more wheat was sown than in the previous year, barley - by 4.9 percent more.

Cattle breeding

The total livestock production increased by 3.5 percent in Azerbaijan in 2011 compared to 2010.

About 458,900 tons of meat, about 1.622.3 billion tons of milk, 1.008.1 billion units of eggs, 16,200 tons of wool were produced in Azerbaijan in 2011.

By 2010, meat production increased by 4.3 percent, milk - by 5.6 percent, and wool - by 3.7 percent. Egg production decreased by 14.5 percent as a result of weakening or suspending production at some poultry farms.

Production of main livestock products, tons

Source: State Statistics Committee

Factual prices on the products of the agricultural, forestry, fishery and hunting sectors in Azerbaijan, in thousand manat

The prices on agricultural products increased by 1.2 percent in Azerbaijan in December last year compared to November and increased by 10.3 percent per year compared to 2010.

According to Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, prices on livestock products increased by 11.3 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year.

The prices on cattle, except for calves increased by 3.8 percent in 2011, sheep and goats - 5.7 percent, cow and buffalo milk - 9.8 percent, buffalo - 6.7 percent, poultry eggs - 97.5 percent, honey - 4.2 percent, unwashed wool - 3.6 percent.

The prices on poultry decreased by 20.9 percent in 2011.

Fish and fish products cheapened by 10.6 percent in August last year.

In 2011, the price on annual plants increased by 7.3 percent, perennial - 20.3 percent. The prices on cleaned, dried leguminous vegetables in 2011 increased by 41.2 percent, corn - 17 percent, wheat - 18.4 percent, green beans - 11.1 percent, leafy vegetables - 15.5 percent, root and bulb - 5.7 percent, potatoes - 10 percent, cotton - 6.8 percent, feed crops - 15 percent.

The prices on watermelons and melons declined by 1.7 percent. The prices on sugar beet were not changed.

The prices on tropical and subtropical fruits increased by 1.9 percent, citrus fruits - 3.1 percent, large fruits - 49.2 percent, other fruit trees, bushes and nuts - 17 2 percent in 2011. The prices on grapes decreased by 11.1 percent, fruits - by 1.3 percent in 2011.