The December 2017 issue of the “Export Review” published by the Economic Reforms Analysis and Communication Center (ERACC) has been released. According to the report, non-oil sector exports totaled USD 1.387 billion during the first 11 months of 2017, with 1,824 entities participating in export operations. Compared to the same period in 2016, non-oil exports increased by more than 22 percent.

During the first 11 months of 2017, the largest share of Azerbaijan’s non-oil exports was directed to the Russian Federation. Specifically, exports amounted to USD 498 million to Russia, USD 264 million to Turkey, USD 133 million to Switzerland, USD 120 million to Georgia, and USD 52 million to Italy.

Among non-oil sector products exported during this period, tomatoes retained first place (USD 140.2 million). Gold ranked second (USD 116.4 million), followed by shelled hazelnuts in third place (USD 105 million).

Overall, during the 11-month period, fruit and vegetable exports totaled USD 453 million; aluminum and aluminum products – USD 109 million; plastics and plastic products – USD 88 million; ferrous metals and related products – USD 74 million; chemical industry products – USD 72 million; cotton – USD 45 million; electricity – USD 41 million; sugar – USD 39 million; and tea – USD 9 million.

Compared to the same period of the previous year, electricity exports doubled, cotton exports increased 2.3 times, tea exports rose by 65 percent, and fruit and vegetable exports also recorded growth.

In November alone, persimmon exports amounted to USD 39.7 million, gold exports to USD 17.9 million, and shelled hazelnut exports to USD 16.1 million. In November, the top five destinations for non-oil exports were Russia, Turkey, Switzerland, Georgia, and Italy.

The latest issue of the “Export Review” also presents a ranking of leading non-oil exporting companies. In the first 11 months of 2017, the top ten non-state exporting companies included the Azerbaijan Representative Office of “Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited,” “Baku Steel Company” LLC, “Azerbaijan Sugar Production Association” LLC, “Sun Food” LLC, “MKT Production Commercial” LLC, Talibov Zabil Oghagverdi, “Ram International Transport and Trade LTD” LLC, “VN Food Export Import Company” LLC, “CTS-Agro” LLC, and “Food Export Shamkir” LLC.

Among state-owned companies participating in non-oil export operations, the top ten included SOCAR’s “Marketing and Economic Operations Department,” “Det-al Aluminum” LLC, “AzerGold” CJSC, “Azerenerji” OJSC, “SOCAR Methanol” LLC, “Food Products Procurement and Supply” OJSC, SOCAR’s “Geophysics and Geology Department,” “Surakhani Machine-Building Plant Subsidiary” OJSC, the “Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic 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 11 months of 2017. During this period, export orders worth USD 444.6 million were received from 71 countries worldwide. In November 2017 alone, export orders received via the portal amounted to USD 47.3 million.

Among the countries placing export orders through the portal, Russia ranked first (18.4 percent), followed by Turkey (7.1 percent), Ukraine (5.8 percent), India (4.5 percent), and the United States (4.2 percent). In November, new export orders were received from Kuwait, South Africa, Syria, Hungary, and Macedonia.

An analysis of orders by product category shows that the most requested items in November included apples, pomegranates, pomegranate juice, pomegranate concentrate, chicken eggs, tea, sunflower oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, fruit jam, hazelnut kernels, tobacco, pasta, diapers, silk carpets, wine, confectionery products, onions, glass containers, engine oil, granulated sugar, powdered milk, and others. Notably, an increase in orders for pomegranates and related products was observed in November. Orders for these products were received from the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Qatar, and other countries.

The “Export Review” also covers topics such as export missions to Dubai and Jeddah, research conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture on the export potential of licorice to global markets, the export potential of IT services, and training sessions held for representatives of local companies engaged in the production, processing, and export of cotton, tobacco, and silk products.

The purpose of the “Export Review” is to raise awareness among entrepreneurs about export opportunities, expand access of local goods to traditional and new markets, and accelerate integration into international markets.

The “Export Review” is available in the Reviews section of the website www.iqtisadiislahat.org.