BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 16. Azerbaijan is ready
to become a strategic gateway for investors to the halal economy
market by offering highly competitive agricultural investment
conditions, Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan,
said during the 14th Private Sector Forum of the Islamic
Development Bank Group, Trend‘s correspondent reports from the event.
According to him, the halal economy today represents not merely
a separate market segment, but a fast-growing and sustainable asset
class that is reshaping global trade.
“The global halal ecosystem has expanded far beyond its
traditional boundaries and has evolved into a comprehensive
sustainable development model valued at over $2 trillion,” Mammadov
said.
The minister noted that the rapid expansion of this sector opens
up vast opportunities for investors to deploy capital into
high-yield agricultural projects, accelerate technology transfer,
and build cross-border value chains.
Mammadov emphasized that Azerbaijan offers highly competitive
conditions for agricultural investments due to its advantageous
geographic location, active state support, and stable growth
dynamics.
He announced that as a result of structural reforms and the
implementation of comprehensive subsidy mechanisms, the country’s
agri-food sector has demonstrated significant growth.
According to the minister, agricultural production volume in
real terms has recently increased by 37.8%, while the fisheries
sector grew nearly 2.7 times.
Majnun Mammadov also stated that Azerbaijan has achieved full
self-sufficiency in a number of high-yield products, including
fruits, vegetables, and eggs, while showing positive dynamics in
meat and dairy production.
He noted that the country stands as a competitive and reliable
exporter of agricultural products in global markets.
“Today, Azerbaijan ranks fourth in the world in hazelnut
production, second in persimmon exports, and ninth in the export of
peaches and nectarines,” the minister said.
Additionally, according to him, the country consistently ranks
among the top twenty global exporters of several commodities,
including strawberries, sweet cherries, tomatoes, and cotton
fiber.
Mammadov emphasized that the long-term development of the
industry is anchored at the institutional level.
The minister also noted that regional consultations are
currently being conducted across all economic zones of the country
to ensure local production models align with the requirements of
international markets and investors.
“By deploying capital in Azerbaijan, investors gain direct
access to a structured framework aimed at fostering trade links
within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and shaping regional
halal value chains,” Mammadov added.