In recent times, the bond between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan has been growing, and this has had a positive effect on all areas. Darya Ilina, the Project Manager of the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies, attributes these accomplishments to the ongoing reforms and stresses that cooperation in agriculture and trade is essential for the sustainable development of the two countries. Exchange of knowledge and technology has strengthened economic ties and resulted in improved efficiency in the agricultural sector.
According to UN Comtrade, the trade turnover in agri-food products between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in 2022 was $40.8 million, which is double the amount of 2021. Over the past five years, the turnover of agri-food products between the two countries has increased by almost five times. Uzbekistan exported agri-food products to Azerbaijan worth $35.1 million in 2022.
The primary agro-food exports from Uzbekistan include tobacco and industrial tobacco substitutes, raisins, beans, peanuts, peeled walnuts, chocolate, and other food products containing cocoa. Agri-food imports from Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan in 2022 were worth $5.7 million, and these mainly consisted of hazelnuts, almonds, vegetable fats and oils, chocolate, and products containing cocoa, soft drinks, animal feed, clover seeds, and more.
At the First Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Organization of Turkic States in July 2022, the Ministers of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan agreed on an action plan for cooperation in the agricultural sector. This plan covered the exchange of experience in agricultural insurance, digitalization of agriculture, the mechanism of state support for agriculture, and the creation of a joint venture in sericulture.
Uzbekistan is exploring the possibility of taking advantage of Azerbaijan’s experience in subsidizing the agricultural sector and digitalization of agriculture. Furthermore, cooperation in the cultivation of seedless hazelnuts, pomegranates, silkworm cocoons, and cotton is being implemented. Uzbekistan sent grapes, beans, peanuts, and seeds of several cotton varieties to Azerbaijan in 2022. In turn, Azerbaijan is planning to send hazelnut seedlings to Uzbekistan.
In January 2023, the first transportation of dried and fresh fruits through the road transport system from Tashkent to Baku airport was completed. The potential of creating a joint cluster for silk production is also being discussed.
As Darya Ilina noted, it is advisable for Uzbekistan to work on new ideas and projects for practical implementation. These could include proposals for joint deep processing of pomegranate in Uzbekistan, the establishment of processing of fruits and berries, the creation of joint nut plantations, the involvement of Azerbaijani experts in the digitalization of agriculture in Uzbekistan, the study of the experience of creating electronic cabinets for farmers, the introduction of water-saving technologies, and the exchange of students of agricultural universities.
Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA
Agricultural Trade between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan is Expanding
In recent years, the relationship between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan has been growing, and this has had a beneficial effect on all areas. The Project Manager of the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies, Darya Ilina, attributes these achievements to the ongoing reforms and points out that cooperation in agriculture and trade plays a key role in ensuring the sustainable development of the two countries. Exchange of experience and technology has reinforced economic ties and contributed to improved efficiency in the agricultural sector.
According to UN Comtrade, the trade turnover in agri-food products between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in 2022 was $40.8 million, which is twice as much as in 2021. Over the past five years, the turnover of agri-food products between the two countries has increased by almost five times. Uzbekistan exported agri-food products to Azerbaijan worth $35.1 million in 2022.
The primary agro-food exports from Uzbekistan include tobacco and industrial tobacco substitutes, raisins, beans, peanuts, peeled walnuts, chocolate, and other food products containing cocoa. Agri-food imports from Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan in 2022 were worth $5.7 million, and these mainly consisted of hazelnuts, almonds, vegetable fats and oils, chocolate, and products containing cocoa, soft drinks, animal feed, clover seeds, and more.
At the First Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the Organization of Turkic States in July 2022, the Ministers of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan agreed on an action plan for cooperation in the agricultural sector. This plan covered the exchange of experience in agricultural insurance, digitalization of agriculture, the mechanism of state support for agriculture, and the creation of a joint venture in sericulture.
Uzbekistan is exploring the possibility of taking advantage of Azerbaijan’s experience in subsidizing the agricultural sector and digitalization of agriculture. Furthermore, cooperation in the cultivation of seedless hazelnuts, pomegranates, silkworm cocoons, and cotton is being implemented. Uzbekistan sent grapes, beans, peanuts, and seeds of several cotton varieties to Azerbaijan in 2022. In turn, Azerbaijan is planning to send hazelnut seedlings to Uzbekistan.
In January 2023, the first transportation of dried and fresh fruits through the road transport system from Tashkent to Baku airport was completed. The potential of creating a joint cluster for silk production is also being discussed.
As Darya Ilina noted, it is advisable for Uzbekistan to work on new ideas and projects for practical implementation. These could include proposals for joint deep processing of pomegranate in Uzbekistan, the establishment of processing of fruits and berries, the creation of joint nut plantations, the involvement of Azerbaijani experts in the digitalization of agriculture in Uzbekistan, the study of the experience of creating electronic cabinets for farmers, the introduction of water-saving technologies, and the exchange of students of agricultural universities.
Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA