The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication released the August issue of its Export Review, highlighting developments in Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector. According to the report, non-oil exports reached $855 million during the first seven months of 2017, involving 1,333 exporting entities. The top five destinations for non-oil products were Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Switzerland, and Turkmenistan.

Analysis of the seven-month data shows that tomatoes (127.9 million USD) ranked first in non-oil exports, followed by gold (60.7 million USD) and primary polyethylene with density under 0.94 (54.4 million USD).

Compared to the same period in 2016, exports increased significantly in several categories: cotton fiber by 8.3 times, electricity by 3.2 times, tea by 60%, fruits and vegetables by 42%, chemical industry products by 30%, aluminum and aluminum products by 29%, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) by 26%, and plastics and related products by 12%.

In July 2017, 459 entities carried out non-oil export transactions worth $117 million. Regarding the contribution of Azexport.az, the portal received export orders worth $264.3 million from 53 countries over the first seven months of 2017. The value of export orders received via Azexport.az in July increased 15% compared to June. Monthly breakdowns are as follows: January – $48 million, February – $6.5 million, March – $27 million, April – $29.9 million, May – $19 million, June – $62.3 million, and July – $71.6 million.

The top five countries placing orders through Azexport.az were Russia (19%), Ukraine (7.8%), Turkey (7.4%), USA (4.8%), and Saudi Arabia (4.8%). In July, Qatar, Tanzania, and Ecuador placed orders via the portal for the first time.

Export orders covered a wide range of non-oil products, including food products, hazelnuts, wine, cosmetics, tobacco, mushrooms, children’s underwear, canned beef, powdered milk, furniture, eggs, frozen chicken, cherry juice, silk carpets, cotton fiber, apples, butter, automotive diagnostic devices, engine oil, and more. Notably, orders for mahlıca, cotton lint, apples, hazelnuts, and chicken meat from various countries exceeded $1 million each.

The August Export Review also provides detailed information on:

• The contribution of cotton cultivation to non-oil export growth

• Placement of Azerbaijani products on Amazon.com via Azexport.az

• Filling customs declarations through the Digital Trade Hub

• Use of escrow services

• Production, processing, and export of cotton and tobacco

• Listing of related companies on Azexport.az

The Export Review aims to inform entrepreneurs about export opportunities, expand access to traditional and new markets for local products, and accelerate integration into international markets.

The full issue is available in the Reports section of www.iqtisadiislahat.org:
Export Review August 2017 PDF