Tomato market in Azerbaijan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Azerbaijan's tomato production and market volume grew consistently, supported by state subsidies for greenhouse expansion through the Azerbaijan State Agricultural Company and the Agricultural Insurance program, which encouraged planting on marginal lands. The adoption of government-approved, higher-yield seed varieties further boosted output. Strong export demand from Russia, which took 96% of fresh tomato exports, absorbed much of the increased production, sustaining growth even as rising fuel prices in 2019 led some greenhouse operators to suspend activities.

The Russian phytosanitary import ban in December 2020 abruptly cut off the dominant export channel, causing a sharp drop in shipments in 2021. Domestic production, however, continued to rise, driven by the state's 'Greenhouse Support' program funding modern climate-control equipment. When Russia lifted the ban in March 2022, market access was restored, but a surge in fuel and fertilizer import costs forced further greenhouse closures. Government measures, including a temporary customs-duty exemption for horticultural inputs, helped alleviate some cost pressure and supported the market.

In the following years, production growth was sustained by increased adoption of protected-culture greenhouse technologies, spurred by state modernization grants. Exporters, facing tighter Russian phytosanitary checks, began diversifying toward Turkey and the EU, aided by a new traceability label for 'Azerbaijan-Grown Fresh Tomato'. The market's evolution included the 2025 launch of a state-backed tomato processing cluster, aiming to add value and reduce reliance on raw-tomato exports, alongside new labeling regulations aligning with EU pesticide-residue standards.

Production tomato in Azerbaijan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2018-2021

World map of production of tomato, 2018-2021

Azerbaijan's tomato production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 807.3 thousand tons of tomatoes, marking a 4.2% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 32.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Azerbaijan's tomato production value has also risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 890.8 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 7.1% from the year before. From 2018 to 2021, production value increased by 41.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports tomato from Azerbaijan

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Azerbaijan's tomato exports declined. In 2021, exports totaled 145.2 thousand tons, representing a significant drop of 22.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 15.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 187.5 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a 7.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Azerbaijan's tomato exports were primarily shipped to Russia, which accounted for 97.6% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increases, Azerbaijan's tomato export value declined. In 2021, exports amounted to 160.2 million US dollars, indicating a sharp decrease of 20.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value fell by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 201.3 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 6.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018–2021, Russia dominated Azerbaijan's tomato exports in value terms, holding a 98.8% share of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021

Imports tomato to Azerbaijan

Imports in kind, K t

Azerbaijan's tomato imports showed notable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.3 thousand tons and peaked in 2018, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports amounted to 0.9 thousand tons, up by 8.2% from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 68.6% drop, while the largest increase was in 2020 with a 174.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the main suppliers of tomatoes to Azerbaijan were Turkey (21.4% of imports in volume), Iran (17.9%), and Turkmenistan (1.2%), together accounting for 40.5% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Azerbaijan's tomato import value experienced significant volatility. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2020 at 0.8 million US dollars, showing a threefold difference. In 2021, imports totaled 0.8 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.4% compared to 2020. The largest decline was in 2019 with a 51.0% drop, and the largest increase was in 2020 with a 199.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over 2018–2021, Turkey (15.3% of imports in value), Iran (11.6%), and Turkmenistan (0.8%) were the leading suppliers of tomatoes to Azerbaijan, with their combined share reaching 27.8% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021