Azerbaijan plans to create national agricultural centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions of Russia, the Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan Heydar Asadov said.
"The most important component of the government strategy of diversification of the economy of Azerbaijan is the optimization of the structure of non-oil exports, in particular by increasing the volume and range of agricultural products, and improving its competitiveness in foreign markets. For the optimal solution to this problem we plan to stimulate the introduction of modern technologies, reduce costs and increase farm productivity," he said in an interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Speaking about the geography of exports, the minister noted that today the post-Soviet states, especially Russia, remain the traditional market for Azerbaijani farmers.
"In particular, Russian consumers will be offered a wide range of animal products along with fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, and grape wines. The expansion of poultry, meat and eggs is particularly envisaged. In order to enhance agricultural supply in the Russian market, it is planned to create national agricultural centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russian regions," Asadov said.
The assistant head of Rosselkhoznadzor, Alexey Alexeyenko, told Vestnik Kavkaza that the agency was not yet informed of Azerbaijan's plans for the organization of agricultural centers in Russia. "During the sanctions, Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation in the field of food imports has grown quite strongly. Azerbaijan has established itself as a reliable supplier, and we have no problems with its products," Alekseyenko stressed.
He also said that Russia, which has become this year's exporter of poultry products, is interested in the supply of hatching eggs and chickens.
Academician and member of the RANEPA Academic Council, Doctor Elmira Krylatyh, in her turn, agreed that Azerbaijan has shown itself as a reliable supplier. "This year the growth of Azerbaijani supplies to the Russian market was small, so we have prospects for the development of mutually beneficial trade relations. In the future, we will satisfy Azerbaijan's needs, and they we will satisfy ours, and if the price relationships will be normal, these contacts will develop in the best possible way," she said.
According to the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia in January-May 2015 amounted to $799.4 million, or 5.8% more than the same period in 2014.
