The Azerbaijani government will encourage tobacco

On 8 February the ministries of economy and agriculture, with the participation of enterprises in the production and processing of tobacco discussed  the issues of tobacco production. Tobacco manufacturers have made proposals for the release of tobacco seeds from import duty, the expansion provided concessional loans and subsidizing tobacco production, according to the press service of the Economy Ministry.

In order to increase interest in the industry the government will carry on its stimulus measures, will create conditions for teaching soft loans and agricultural leasing services.

As a result of these measures the area under tobacco will double this year  to 3,000 hectares. The number of employed  in the field of tobacco  growing will grow  twice, and reach 8,000 people, according to the Ministry of Economy.

The representatives of the processing enterprises have noted that this year they will raise the purchase prices of raw tobacco of first grade from 16 (2015) to 25 gepiks, and second  grades - from 8 to 15 gepiks.

In 2015 in Azerbaijan’s tobacco acreage increased by 22.8%,  and amounted to 1400 ha, the State Statistics Committee. It produced 3.500 tons of tobacco, which by 21.3%  exceeded the figure for 2014. Processing enterprises  fermented 1691.5 tons of tobacco,  by 30.4% less than in the previous year. According to the State Customs Committee, in the first nine months of 2015  were  exported 1,273.5 tons of tobacco. Each ton of product exporters has brought the exporters  $ 3,767 of income. --08D--