The Economic Reforms Analysis and Communication Center (ERACC) has released the October issue of its “Export Review," which highlights that in the first nine months of 2017, non-oil sector exports totaled $1.069 billion USD, involving 1,582 entities.
Compared to the same period in 2016, non-oil exports increased by 25% in 2017. Russia remained the leading destination, with $366 million USD worth of exports, followed by Turkey ($223 million), Georgia ($99 million), Switzerland ($98 million), and Turkmenistan ($44 million).
Among exported non-oil products, tomatoes led with $128.8 million USD, followed by gold ($81.4 million) and shelled hazelnuts ($62 million). Overall, in the first nine months, exports of fruits and vegetables reached $307 million, aluminum and aluminum products $87 million, plastics and plastic products $78 million, ferrous metals and their products $61 million, and chemical industry products $58 million USD.
Year-on-year growth was notable: cotton fiber exports rose 8.5 times, electricity exports 2.8 times, tea 62%, fruits and vegetables 41%, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages 28%, chemical products 25%, aluminum products 22%, animal and vegetable fats and oils 17%, and plastics 10%.
In September 2017, 395 entities carried out $106 million USD worth of non-oil exports. Key export products included shelled hazelnuts, gold, methanol, aluminum alloy plates over 0.2 mm thick, apples, primary polymerized materials, white sugar, onions, cucumbers and gherkins, copper ores and concentrates, plums, propylene, and peaches. Shelled hazelnut exports alone amounted to $23.5 million USD.
Russia was again the leading export destination in September, followed by Turkey, Switzerland, Italy, Georgia, and others.
The “Export Review” also lists the top non-oil sector exporters. For non-state entities, the top ten included Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited (Azerbaijan branch), Baku Steel Company LLC, Azerbaijan Sugar Production Union LLC, MKT Production Commerce LLC, Sun Food LLC, Talıbov Zabil Ocaqverdi oglu, CTS-Agro LLC, Ram International Transport and Trade LTD LLC, Fətəliyev Süleyman Məmməd oglu, and Food Export Şəmkir LLC.
Among state-owned companies, the leading ten were Marketing and Economic Operations Department, Det-al Aluminium LLC, Azergold OJSC, Azerenergy JSC, Food Supply and Procurement JSC, SOCAR Methanol LLC, Geophysics and Geology Department, Surakhani Machine-Building Plant Subsidiary JSC, Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic State Energy Agency.
The report highlights that in the first nine months, the Azexport.az portal received export orders worth $355.8 million USD from 60 countries. In September alone, the portal recorded $47.4 million USD in orders. Top countries for export orders were Russia (18.2%), Turkey (6.7%), Ukraine (6.3%), India (4.9%), and the USA (4.6%). Notably, export orders from India increased in September. The most requested products were hazelnuts, apples, cucumbers, potatoes, garlic, and wine, while cottonseed oil orders from Kyrgyzstan were postponed until the local harvest concluded. All other orders were directed to relevant local producers by the Azexport.az team.
The issue also covers the first international conference of the Azerbaijan Digital Trade Hub, export promotion payments, the ANUGA exhibition, visits by youth to the “One-Window” Export Support Center, and Global G.A.P. training sessions.
The purpose of the “Export Review” is to inform entrepreneurs about export opportunities, expand the presence of local products in traditional and new markets, and accelerate integration into global markets.
The full report is available here:
http://iqtisadiislahat.org/store//media/documents/ixrac_icmali/oktyabr/ExportReview_2017_7.pdf