Azerbaijan boosts fruit exports to Russia

Azerbaijan has notably ramped up its fruit exports to Russia in 2024, demonstrating significant growth across various categories.

Deliveries of Azerbaijani persimmons to Russia surged by 71.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, while nectarines increased by 34.2 per cent, peaches by 26.6 per cent, and strawberries by 10.7 per cent, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Since the start of 2024, Russia has received 338,700 tons of fruit and vegetable products from Azerbaijan, almost matching the 352,000 tons delivered during the same period last year.

Specifically, persimmon exports rose from 18,200 tons to 31,200 tons, nectarines from 14,100 tons to 19,000 tons, peaches from 13,700 tons to 17,400 tons, and strawberries from 17,600 tons to 19,500 tons. Additionally, tomato exports grew by 9.7 per cent, reaching 116,200 tons.

On the flip side, Russia has significantly increased its food exports to Azerbaijan. Potato exports have surged 2.7 times to 23,000 tons, while onion exports have risen 5.1 times to 7,700 tons.

In a related development, on August 19, 2024, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Azerbaijan, Chief of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision of the Russian Federation ("Rosselkhoznadzor") Sergey Dankvert, and Goshgar Tahmazli, chairman of the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan, signed a pivotal agreement on plant quarantine and protection cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement, which has been under negotiation since 2021, encompasses regulations on pesticide and agrochemical safety and represents a significant advancement in strengthening trade and economic ties between Russia and Azerbaijan.