Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Hazelnut, one of the most popular and favorite representatives of nut family, is the second most produced hard-shelled product in the world after almond.

The cultivation and processing of hazelnuts is one of the main directions providing Azerbaijan with foreign currency, if to consider that in 2016, the revenue from hazelnut exports was the highest among non-oil products of Azerbaijan.

The South Caucasus country, earning $105 million from the export of hazelnuts two years ago, expects to reach the harvest of hazelnut at 60,000 tons this year, which is 50 percent higher than in 2016, according to the Asian Fruits. So far, the country produced about 35,000 tons of hazelnut, and 90 percent of this product is exported to foreign countries.

The association of hazelnut producers and exporters reports that incomes of Azerbaijani companies from hazelnut exports in the first quarter of 2017 amounted to $20 million, and this 3 percent more than the same period last year. Export of Azerbaijani hazelnuts in the first half of 2017 amounted to $32.3 million.

Today, more than 25,000 family farms, uniting about a hundred thousand people are operating in the field of hazelnuts production in the country.

After President Ilham Aliyev stressed that the development of this sector is of high priority for the state, the development of the hazelnut production has been accelerated.

“We should expand the cultivated area in the near future and help the farmers,” he noted. “Hazelnut farmers are well aware that Azerbaijan holds one of the leading places in the world for hazelnut production. As a result of the measures to be taken now, we can reach the third place in the world.”

In this regard, Zagatala, one of the 13 regions engaged in production of hazelnut, increases the nut gardens. In autumn 2016, 5 hectares of hazelnut seedlings were created in the region, and 300,000 quality seeds were grown.

In the spring of this year, as many as 3,158 hectares of new hazelnut gardens have been created in the region. Today, the total area of hazelnut gardens in Zagatala is 17,000 hectares. The region expects about 9,000 tons of hazelnuts this year.

Azerbaijani hazelnuts are of very high quality and are highly valued in foreign markets. Back in 2012 Azerbaijan entered top ten countries with the largest production of hazelnuts, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

About 25 countries, including Italy, Russia, and Germany, most important hazelnut importing countries in the world covering approximately 35 percent of the total world import, are the main consumers of our hazelnuts. In addition, Middle Eastern countries have emerged as potential markets for Azerbaijani hazelnuts.

Currently the Association is negotiating to start exporting hazelnut to a number of countries in Europe and Asia as well as working on simplification the process of exporting this product from the country.

Meanwhile, Russia will import more Azerbaijani hazelnuts, as the national company "Azerstar" signed an agreement with two Russian companies on the export. Thus, the country will export more hazelnuts to the northern neighbor than it was last year -- $30 million.

Moreover, Ferrero, the historic chocolate company owned by Italy’s richest family, is also in talks with Azerbaijan over the cultivation of hazelnuts in the country.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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