President Aliyev tours Azerbaijan’s leading agriculture, food exhibitions PHOTO / UPDATED

On May 5, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva visited the 19th Azerbaijan International Agricultural Exhibition and Forum – Caspian Agro Week – and the 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition – InterFood Azerbaijan – held at the Baku Expo Center.

Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov presented an overview of the exhibitions to the President and the First Lady, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

He emphasized that the scope of participation has widened this year, bringing together 447 companies from 45 countries. For the first time, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Northern Cyprus are represented with national pavilions. Overall, national stands are featured from Germany, Belarus, Brazil, South Korea, Georgia, Italy, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.

The Caspian Agro Week exhibition encompasses sectors including agricultural machinery, equipment and facilities, irrigation systems, packaging, logistics, e-agriculture, innovative technologies, livestock, poultry, crop production, veterinary services, and waste management. It also highlights “Smart Agro” areas such as artificial intelligence, smart villages, startups, IT services, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and “green agro” initiatives.

The InterFood Azerbaijan exhibition showcases products and services related to the food industry, beverages, fruits and vegetables, food technologies, and additional related sectors.

A notable development this year is the transformation of the exhibition, previously known simply as “Caspian Agro,” into the broader “Caspian Agro Week” concept. In addition to the exhibition itself, the program includes conferences, forums, and visits to innovative agricultural enterprises.

The President and the First Lady also visited the stand of Azersun Holding. Operating under a “farm-to-table” approach, the company produces high-quality agricultural goods using modern equipment and innovative solutions. Its operations provide both permanent and seasonal employment for tens of thousands of people across various regions.

With more than a decade of experience in Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector, Agro Dairy is recognized as one of the leading agro-food enterprises. The company has developed an integrated agro-industrial ecosystem covering all stages, from raw material production and processing to logistics and delivery of final products. Its “soil-to-table” value chain supports consistent product quality.

The German company Holmer is a global leader in the production of self-propelled sugar beet harvesters. The company focuses on developing and marketing technologically advanced agricultural machinery.

The Italian company New Holland has more than 130 years of experience in agricultural machinery manufacturing, with products used in over 170 countries. Its combines and tractors, equipped with modern technologies, streamline farming processes and automate harvesting while maintaining high-quality output.

The Russian company PhosAgro ranks among the world’s leading producers of phosphate-based fertilizers. Its operations also include the production of phosphate rock, feed phosphates, nitrogen fertilizers, and ammonia. It is recognized as Europe’s largest producer of phosphate-based fertilizers and high-grade phosphate rock.

Azera Holding, with nearly 20 years of experience, brings together major agricultural companies specializing in crop production, livestock, and fisheries. The holding operates some of the largest greenhouse complexes in the Caucasus and carries out extensive agricultural projects in liberated territories. Its subsidiary Fruitland produces nearly 1,000 tons of bananas annually in Azerbaijan, cultivated in greenhouse facilities spanning around 200 hectares.

The Turkish company Favo Agro operates internationally in supplying agricultural machinery, equipment, and spare parts. In addition to machinery, it offers irrigation systems, milking solutions, and related components, while also manufacturing agricultural and livestock equipment locally under the Favo and Aksan brands.

The Ministry of Agriculture provides organizational support for these exhibitions, which act as an effective platform for promoting the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand. The Ministry is also represented with its own stand. The stand presents information on initiatives focused on the development of the agricultural sector, state support mechanisms, digital solutions, innovative approaches, and projects such as Artificial Intelligence in the Agrarian Sector and the Application of AI in Precision Agriculture, along with startup initiatives. In addition, it showcases smart farming technologies, digital monitoring systems, and technological solutions designed to enhance productivity, as well as the Ministry’s pilot project on investment tenders for leasing agricultural land in the liberated territories, and regional agricultural business and harvest festivals.

This year’s exhibitions offer visitors a closer look at the agricultural and food production potential of Azerbaijan’s regions. As part of the program, annual tours are organized for farmers nationwide. More than 500 farmers from 51 regions are expected to engage with the latest industry innovations and international best practices.

The events are also supported by the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency, the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of Azerbaijan, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organisations of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Food and Beverage Industrialists Association, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association.

Spain’s Industrias David is among the participants, specializing in advanced agricultural equipment for vineyards, olive groves, and orchards, including harvesting machinery.

The President and the First Lady also visited the Georgia National Group stand, where around 10 companies are presenting a variety of agricultural products, reflecting Georgia’s continued strong interest in the exhibition.

Israel’s AFI Projects is showcasing services in computerized farm management, dairy farm design and construction, and milking systems. The company offers solutions aimed at improving labor efficiency and optimizing production processes for both large-scale farms and small agricultural enterprises.

At the Italian National Group stand, it was noted that Italian companies maintain strong engagement with the exhibition, with approximately 20 companies participating this year across agricultural products and equipment sectors.

Az Agromila operates successfully in the field of next-generation fertilizers and biopesticides, providing modern technological solutions across various agricultural sectors, including greenhouse operations, fruit and vegetable cultivation, and open-field farming.

The Netherlands is also prominently represented with a national pavilion, where companies are presenting seeds, flowers, greenhouse technologies, and a range of agricultural and food products.

Local company Amofresh combines traditional farming methods with modern innovation, producing premium organic fruits and vegetables in environmentally clean regions, ensuring high quality throughout all stages of production.

Another local producer, METAK, showcased an intensive orchard model, demonstrating the structure and advantages of modern orchard systems through a detailed visual presentation.

Iran’s Khazar Electric produces agricultural and waste processing equipment using innovative technologies, including grain dryers, incubators, slaughterhouse systems, and poultry equipment.

Absheron Olive Garden LLC specializes in producing olive oil and table olives, utilizing modern technologies while adhering to international quality standards and maintaining strict quality control processes.

The Shirvan Agro livestock complex attracted notable attention, operating with advanced technologies and artificial intelligence systems. It stands among the largest livestock complexes in the Caucasus and CIS regions.

The Shirvan Wines enterprise, currently operating under the "Meysari" brand, is located in the Meysari village of Azerbaijan’s Shamakhi district. It is the first organic wine producer in our country to receive certification from the European Union.

Belarus continues to play an active role in the exhibitions, with eleven companies presenting a wide selection of food products.

With the support of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) of Azerbaijan, a dedicated stand has been organized to help SMEs access new markets. Products such as confectionery, chocolate, meat products, honey, saffron, and cheese produced by nearly 10 SME entities are on display. Established by a Decree of President Ilham Aliyev in 2017, the Agency supports the development of small and medium businesses in the country, providing a range of services to SMEs and coordinating state policy in this sector.

At the Brazil National Group stand, visitors are introduced primarily to agricultural goods, including products from leading meat producers and exporters, as well as coffee products that have drawn significant interest.

Indonesia is also represented with a national stand, where coffee and confectionery products are prominently featured.

AFAZ (Africa–Azerbaijan Cooperation) is participating for the first time, bringing together companies from countries including Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia to present their products.

Following the indoor exhibition, the President and the First Lady reviewed agricultural machinery displayed in the outdoor area of the Baku Expo Center.

As the largest exhibitions in the region for the agricultural and food sectors, Caspian Agro Week and InterFood Azerbaijan serve as key platforms for international cooperation, innovation, and business development. Over time, they have established themselves as recognized national brands within the global exhibition landscape and hold a significant position in the international exhibition calendar.

Throughout the exhibition week, cutting-edge products and services spanning innovative agricultural solutions, agrotechnologies, smart farming systems, food processing technologies, food safety, logistics, and export opportunities will be showcased. The platform will play a significant role in facilitating the exchange of international expertise and fostering the formation of new partnerships within the agri-food sector.

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On May 5, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva visited the 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum - Caspian Agro Week and the 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition - InterFood Azerbaijan at the Baku Expo Center, according to state media.