he May 2020 issue of the Export Review prepared by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) has been presented. During January–April 2020, Azerbaijan exported non-oil sector goods worth USD 549 million. Compared to the same period of 2019, non-oil exports decreased by 5.8 percent as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During January–April of this year, non-oil sector goods worth USD 186.2 million were exported to Russia, USD 122.2 million to Turkey, USD 58.8 million to Georgia, USD 48.5 million to Switzerland, and USD 18.1 million to China.

Compared to the corresponding period of 2019, non-oil exports in the first four months of 2020 increased by 13 percent to Russia, 9 percent to Switzerland, and 45 percent to China.

Among non-oil sector goods exported during January–April 2020, tomatoes ranked first with USD 73.3 million, cotton fiber ranked second with USD 44.3 million, and gold (in other unprocessed forms not used for coin minting) ranked third with USD 43.7 million.

Overall, during the first four months of 2020, exports amounted to USD 153.9 million for fruits and vegetables, USD 60.5 million for plastics and plastic products, USD 45 million for cotton fiber, USD 25.8 million for aluminum and aluminum products, USD 26.5 million for chemical industry products, USD 34.3 million for electricity, USD 15.1 million for ferrous metals and related products, USD 8.7 million for cotton yarn, USD 4.8 million for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and USD 4.5 million for sugar.

In April 2020, non-oil sector exports amounted to USD 120 million. During the same month, non-oil and non-gas products were mainly exported to Russia (USD 51.8 million), Turkey (USD 17.8 million), Georgia (USD 15.9 million), Switzerland (USD 7.7 million), and China (USD 6 million).

In April 2020, tomatoes ranked first in non-oil exports with USD 29.4 million, electricity ranked second with USD 16.4 million, and gold (in other unprocessed forms not used for coin minting) ranked third with USD 7.4 million.

The May issue of the Export Review also presents a ranking of leading non-oil exporting companies. According to the ranking of non-state exporters for January–April 2020, the top ten companies include: Socar Polymer LLC, the Azerbaijan Representative Office of Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited, MKT Production Commercial LLC, Land Logistic LLC, Sun Food LLC, STDC LLC, Agrovest LLC, Natural Fruit LLC, Baku Steel Company, and P-Agro LLC.

Among state-owned companies engaged in non-oil export operations, the Marketing and Economic Operations Department of SOCAR ranks first. It is followed by Azerenerji OJSC, Azeraluminium LLC, AzerGold CJSC, Azerpambiq Agro-Industrial Complex LLC, Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant LLC, AzerTobacco Agro-Industrial Complex LLC, the State Energy Service of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and ASK Glass LLC.

The Export Review also covers service exports. It is reported that in January–April 2020, Azerkosmos OJSC exported services worth USD 16.6 million to 26 countries, including satellite telecommunications and optical satellite services. Revenue from service exports accounted for 90 percent of Azerkosmos OJSC’s total income. The main countries for service exports were the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, France, and the United Arab Emirates.

At the same time, the review notes a decrease in the number of foreign visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, transactions made by foreign citizens using bank cards in Azerbaijan amounted to AZN 19.7 million. Overall, during January–April 2020, such transactions totaled AZN 231.7 million.

The Export Review also provides information on export orders received through the Azexport.az portal. During January–April 2020, export orders worth USD 209.2 million were received via the portal. In April 2020 alone, the value of export orders reached USD 61.5 million, representing a 20.8 percent increase compared to the same month of the previous year.

In April, the highest number of export orders received through the Azexport.az portal included tomatoes, chicken eggs, eggplants, potatoes, sheep wool, onions, cottonseed oil, cabbage, honey, mushrooms, tobacco, wine, construction materials, fruit juice, apples, motor oil, garlic, canned vegetables, confectionery products, metal structures, carrots, tea, wheat flour, and diapers.

For reference, from January 2017 to 30 April 2020 (over 40 months), the total value of export orders received through the Azexport.az portal from 141 countries reached USD 1.794 billion.

The review also notes that in May 2020, the value of non-oil exports conducted through the One-Stop Shop Export Support Center amounted to USD 15.4 million. During January–May 2020, the Center issued export-related certificates to hundreds of entrepreneurs, resulting in non-oil exports worth USD 46.7 million.

The purpose of the Export Review is to raise awareness among entrepreneurs about exports, expand opportunities for local products to access traditional and new markets, and accelerate integration into international markets.