BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 21
By Fidan Babayeva - Trend:
Azerbaijan has reduced the export of apples during the period from January through February 2020 due the spread of coronavirus, Bashir Guliyev, head of the Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association, told Trend.
Guliyev noted that the exports haven’t been suspended, but temporarily reduced.
“This fruit is in high demand in Azerbaijan in any season. On the other hand, apple growing in Azerbaijan is advantageous also in terms of transportation and logistics,” he said.
Guliyev went on to add that the decrease in exports is first of all not good for farmers, since they suffer losses. Main importers of Azerbaijani apples are Russia and Belarus, he noted.
“The main reason for the lower apple export in early 2020 is that Russia started importing Iranian apples on preferential terms from January through February 2020. Moreover, the spread of coronavirus, as well as stagnation in Russian and Belarusian markets in connection with New Year holidays,” he said.
Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association was established on September 16, 2016 to coordinate the activities of entrepreneurs engaged in growing and exporting fruit and vegetables, to expand cooperation among the, boost the total production of fruits and vegetables and increase the country’s export potential.
Currently, the Association has 60 members.