The approval, by the Order of President Ilham Aliyev, of the “State Programme for 2027–2032 on Ensuring Food Safety in the Republic of Azerbaijan” marks the beginning of a new strategic stage in the integration of the country’s food sector into the global value chain and in protecting public health. Envisaging joint activities of the state, private sector and society, the Programme will make an important contribution not only to ensuring domestic food security, but also to bringing the national food industry into line with international standards as a whole.

Commenting on the issue, Ayxan Gadeshov, Head of the “Azexport.az” portal of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, stated that the adoption of this document is of decisive importance against the backdrop of global climate change, increasingly complex supply chains and tightening quality standards in foreign markets. At a time when demand for safe and high-quality food products is rapidly increasing, the State Programme creates new opportunities for both exporters and local consumers. In modern international trade, food safety is no longer merely an official requirement, but one of the key indicators determining the competitiveness of countries and companies. It is precisely from this perspective that, alongside strengthening the national food safety system, the Programme will further reinforce the position of local brands on global shelves.

Ayxan Gadeshov noted that the State Programme sets very specific and large-scale targets for the access of our products to foreign markets. In particular, the work envisaged to obtain permits for the export of beekeeping products, including honey, to European Union countries, as well as poultry products to new markets, will significantly expand the geography of our non-oil exports. In addition, an important target has been set in the document concerning the application of the “HACCP” system in 80 percent of enterprises, which will directly contribute to increasing export potential. At the same time, the launch of 2 new food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary control points in areas close to state border crossing points for the purpose of accelerating import-export operations will give new impetus to our logistics and transit opportunities. On the other hand, the creation of a mechanism for bringing products prepared in home settings and family farms to the market, as well as the involvement of the private sector in the new legislative process, demonstrates the special importance attached to public-private partnership in improving food safety.

The role of digitalization and innovations in achieving the stated targets should be particularly emphasized. It is no secret that supply chain transparency is the backbone of international trade. According to the document, the application of artificial intelligence models for the analysis of risks and potential problems, as well as the establishment of a unified tracking subsystem within AQTIS, and the connection of 50 food businesses to this system as a pilot project at the initial stage are envisaged. Subsequently, promoting the application of modern digital technologies such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in order to prevent the adulteration of food products will significantly increase their competitiveness by guaranteeing the origin of products.

Emphasizing that the targets set are not only economic in nature, but are also directly related to the welfare and health of society, Ayxan Gadeshov recalled that the main approach of the document is precisely the protection of consumers’ rights to safe food and the improvement of food habits. In this regard, the introduction of special labelling, informing the population through visual warnings about allergens and the fact that biologically active food products are not medicines, as well as conducting serious awareness campaigns against food waste, will considerably strengthen public oversight. Also, preventing illegal street trade and registering specialists working in the recently popularized fields of dietetics and nutritionology, thereby increasing oversight of their activities, are extremely important steps taken from the perspective of public health. Naturally, the process does not end there; the application of the “One Health” concept, which brings together human, animal and environmental health on a single platform, the implementation of national strategies to combat zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance, as well as the establishment of a new laboratory complex and vivarium meeting high biosafety requirements, will make our country even more resilient to global biological risks.

Ayxan Gadeshov added that the State Programme, which encompasses all stages of the food chain, as well as strengthening the potential of institutional and human resources, is both an adequate response to global food security challenges and a harbinger of a period of major changes for our local producers. Ultimately, this new model, based on digital technologies, international standards and the principles of “One Health”, opens up very broad horizons for our local exporters in terms of consolidating their position in the global market and further strengthening their position in the global trade network.