5 reasons why Azerbaijan is your next food & drink market
Published on 17/05/2017
Azerbaijan is quickly becoming one of the Central Asian food markets to watch. Imports of key food and drink commodities are on the rise, while its food production and agricultural sectors are gaining traction.
There is plenty to offer exporters in Azerbaijan, not just in supplying food and drink products but in the packaging and processing industries too, so let’s take a look at exactly why this Central Asian state is your latest food and drink market.
1. Azerbaijan imports billions of dollars’ worth of food and drink annually – In 2016, Azerbaijan imported $1.3 billion worth of food and drink products - an increase of 34.9% against 2015’s levels. Data from the first first quarter of 2017 showed imports are up nearly 21% too, showing Azerbaijan’s ongoing taste for internationally-sourced food.
2. Key food & drink imports show big increases – Specific product categories showing increased import volumes include meat; registering a huge 94.4% rise in 2016. Butter imports doubled during this time too, while volumes of imported tea grew 2.7 times. Azerbaijan also imported 2.3 times more fruits and vegetables in 2016 than in 2015.
3. An extensive, expanding food processing sector – Food and drink manufacturing is a $6.2 billion industry in Azerbaijan which is growing year-on-year. Across the country, more food factories, production plants, and agricultural sites are popping up – creating a big demand for modern production equipment and machinery.
4. Azerbaijan is key regional export hub – Azerbaijan borders four countries, including Russia, and sits on the Caspian Sea’s western coast, making it an ideal regional export hub for the CIS, Middle East and Asia. Iran already re-exports food via Azerbaijan, thanks to its position on trade routes. Elsewhere, Poland has spotted Azerbaijan’s potential as an export hub, and is starting to use it as a base to expand Polish food’s presence in the Caspian region.
5. Food packaging sector needs modernisation – Manufacturers of food and drink packaging equipment take heed: Azerbaijan’s packaging sector requires cutting edge tech to replace its out-of-date machinery and boost output levels to match the nation’s production ambitions. Can your company fill this equipment-shaped gap?
Connect with Azerbaijan’s food industry at WorldFood Azerbaijan
The conditions are right for exporters to make major headway into Azerbaijan’s food and drink industry. If you want to take advantage of the opportunities Azerbaijan holds, you need to be at
WorldFood Azerbaijan.
Leading Azerbaijani food industry figures, including high-purchasing power retailers, buyers and importers, attend the event every year. They’re all there to search for the newest products, processing and packaging equipment. WorldFood Azerbaijan is the place to be to meet and connect with these industry insiders.
Interested in attending 2018’s show?
Get in touch with us now to learn how you can take part.