Review of agriculture in Azerbaijan (2012)

The Azerbaijani agricultural sector demonstrated excellent results in 2012.

According to the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, as of January 1, 2013, the agricultural production in Azerbaijan increased by 5.8 percent and amounted to 4.763.7 billion manat compared to 2011. Production of crops increased by 5.8 percent, and livestock - by 5.9 percent compared to 2011.

Actual cost of production of Azerbaijani agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, thousands manat

source: Azerbaijani state statistics committee

Millions were invested in rural infrastructure to develop agricultural production in 2012.

The loans were given to entrepreneurs on preferential terms in this sphere.

The modern equipment brought by Agroleasing was leased. Cattle was purchased and delivered to farmers. Farmers are exempt from all taxes, except for land. Fertilizers and fuel are delivered on preferential terms.

Plant growing

According to the preliminary data of the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee, as of 2012, around 2.802 million tons of grain (including corn) were collected in Azerbaijan, or 14 percent more than in 2011. On average, around 27.2 centners of grain were collected per hectare of land. Sown area hit 1.030 million hectares.

Production of raw materials for cotton in 2012 decreased by 14.4 percent to 56,800 tons. The main reason for the drop in production of raw cotton was the reduction of the crop area from 42,800 hectares in 2011 to 29,200 hectares in 2012. However, despite this, the growth of average yield by 25.8 percent to 19.5 quintals was registered compared to 2011.

Tobacco production in 2012 increased by 19.3 percent to 4,300 tons. The tobacco production has increased as the average yield also increased by 12 percent compared to 2011.

Sugar beet was sown in the area of 3,600 hectares of land in 2012. Around 175,700 tons of the crop were received. Sugar beet production fell by 31 percent, or 79,000 tons in 2012 compared to 2011.

Around 968,500 tons of potatoes were collected in 2012 or 3.2 percent more than in 2011 and 1.214 million tons of vegetables, which is equal to the harvest of 2011. Water melon and melon production in 2012 fell by 10.5 percent to 428,000 tons.

Around 809,800 tons of fruit and berries were produced in the country in 2012, or 5.7 percent more than in 2011.

Tea production increased by 6.3 percent to 567.9 tons in Azerbaijan in 2012. Grape production increased by 9.6 percent, or by 13,100 tons and hit 150,100 tons.

Situation with production and productivity of some crops

source: Azerbaijani state statistics committee

Last year's autumn and winter field work was completed successfully.

Around 1.079 million hectares were plowed to get crop in 2013. Around 1.008 million hectares were sown for grain and green fodder. Planting work for grain covered an area of ​​997,400 hectares, of which the cultivated area of wheat hit 690,500 hectares (69.2 percent), barley - 306,900 hectares (30.8 percent).

Grain crops increased by 4.3 percent compared to the same period of 2011. In particular, wheat was sown by 0.2 percent more than the previous year, barley - by 14.8 percent more.

Animal husbandry

The total production in the livestock sector increased by 5.9 percent in Azerbaijan in 2012, compared to 2011.

Around 478,800 tons of meat, 1.719 million tons of milk, 1.226 million eggs, 16,500 tons of wool were produced in Azerbaijan in 2012. By 2011, meat production increased by 4.3 percent, milk - by 6 percent, eggs - by 21.3 percent, and wool - by 1.6 percent.

Production of main livestock products, thousand tons

source: Azerbaijani state statistics committee

As of early 2013, there were 2.703 million heads of cattle, including 1.302 million cows and buffaloes, 8.651 million sheep and goats in the Azerbaijani livestock sector.

Cattle in Azerbaijan as of January 1, 2013, thousands of heads

source: Azerbaijani state statistics committee