The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) has released the latest issue of the “Export Review” for the period of January–October 2017. The review indicates that in the first ten months of 2017, non-oil exports amounted to USD 1.219 billion, with 1,723 entities participating in these export operations. Compared to the same period in 2016, non-oil exports increased by more than 23% during the first ten months of 2017.

Russia remained the leading destination for non-oil exports during this period. According to the State Customs Committee, exports to Russia totaled USD 424 million. Other major destinations included Turkey (USD 243 million), Switzerland (USD 115 million), Georgia (USD 108 million), and Turkmenistan (USD 48 million).

Among non-oil products exported in the first ten months, tomatoes ranked first with USD 131.5 million, followed by gold (USD 98.5 million), and shelled hazelnuts (USD 88.6 million).

In October 2017, 475 entities conducted non-oil export operations worth USD 149.6 million. Major exported goods included shelled hazelnuts, dates, gold (unprocessed or not minted), apples, cucumbers and gherkins, methanol, aluminum, and others. Specifically, exports of shelled hazelnuts amounted to USD 26.6 million, dates USD 21.6 million, and gold USD 17.2 million.

The issue of the “Export Review” also ranks the leading non-oil exporters. Among private non-oil exporters and individuals, the top ten included the Azerbaijan representative office of “Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited,” Baku Steel Company LLC, Azerbaijan Sugar Production Union LLC, Sun Food LLC, MKT Production and Commerce LLC, Talibov Zabil Ocagverdi oglu, Ram International Transport and Trade LTD LLC, VN Food Export Import Company LLC, CTS-Agro LLC, and Food Export Shəmkir LLC.

For state-owned enterprises involved in non-oil exports, the top ten included SOCAR’s Marketing and Economic Operations Department, Det-Al Aluminium LLC, Azergold JSC, Azerenergy JSC, SOCAR Methanol LLC, Supply and Procurement of Food Products JSC, SOCAR’s Geophysics and Geology Department, Surakhani Machine-Building Plant Subsidiary JSC, Nakhchivan AR State Energy Agency, and Azerbaijan Railways CJSC.

The “Export Review” also provides information on export orders received through the Azexport.az portal. During the first ten months of 2017, export orders worth USD 397.3 million were received from 66 countries. In October alone, export orders amounted to USD 41.5 million. The top five countries placing orders were Russia (19.2%), Turkey (6%), Ukraine (5.7%), India (4.8%), and the United States (4.2%). New orders were also received from Israel and Myanmar in October.

Product-wise analysis of orders revealed that in October, the highest demand was for pomegranate juice, canned vegetables, cosmetics, wine, apples, pears, pomegranates, dates, tomatoes, garlic, cabbage, tea, confectionery products, solar panels, tobacco, licorice root, dried fruits, silk carpets, jams, dyes, medical alcohol, sugar, and other products. Orders from Russia showed an increase in October.

The “Export Review” highlights that the Azexport.az portal offers new services to entrepreneurs, facilitates exports to Russia, Turkey, the UAE, and other countries through the “Single Window” Export Support Center, and supports export missions to Shanghai and St. Petersburg. It also covers cooperation with the Eastern Partnership Center, opportunities for exporting saffron to global markets, and other initiatives.

Overall, the “Export Review” serves to inform entrepreneurs about export processes, expand access of local goods to traditional and new markets, and accelerate integration into international markets.

The full issue of the “Export Review” can be accessed on the CAERC website at www.iqtisadiislahat.org in the “Reviews” section:
Export Review PDF