Imported Fruits and Vegetables Replenished Statistics of �Local� Exports

Baku / 19.04.17 / Turan: A part of the imported products is exported, thereby forming a positive dynamics of the export statistics. So, in the first quarter of this year, a significant proportion of overseas food subsequently went out again.

A comparative analysis of import-export indicators is noteworthy from the point of view of recent statements by government officials on the growth of exports by 44% in the three months of this year. According to the Center for Economic Research (CER), exports in the current year rose to the previous year, but decreased twofold as compared to 2014. It has already been noted that the export statistics turned out to be four times lower than the supply of foreign food to the local market. The latest analysis of the data revealed that the growth of exports for the first quarter of 2017 is based on imports.

“For three months of this year 100.5 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables were imported to Azerbaijan. Only 45 thousand tons of this volume was intended for domestic consumption, and 55.5 thousand tons went for re-export. In addition, since the beginning of the year, 2.6 thousand tons of tea was imported into the country. Of these, 70% is the share of domestic consumption, and the remaining 0.4 thousand tons was exported. During the reporting period, 31.3 thousand tons of vegetable and animal oils and fats were imported. It is noteworthy that out of this volume, domestic consumption accounted for 28.3 thousand tons, while 3 thousand tons added to the export statistics. Import of sugar amounted to 81.6 thousand tons - 68.1 thousand tons met the domestic demand, and 13.4 thousand tons was subsequently exported,” said the head of the agricultural department of the CER Vahid Maharramov.

It should be noted that food imports in the first quarter of 2017 increased by 20.8% compared to the same period last year. For example, meat imports grew 2.3 times, while in live weight there was an increase of 20.8%. Import of milk into the country increased by 81%, oil – by 25%, and sugar - by 94%. The growth of imports in these positions indicates a low level of domestic production. Dependence of exports on imports of foreign products speaks of a close link to foreign food supplies not only of the domestic needs, but also of the export opportunities of Azerbaijan. -0-