Azerbaijan's regions have significant potential for fruit and vegetable production. According to Abdurrahim Dadashov, deputy head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, the Guba-Khachmaz zone is known for apples, Lankaran-Astara for citrus, Aran for vegetables, and Shaki-Zagatala for hazelnuts.
In 2025, fruit production exceeded 1.394 million tons, grape production 210,000 tons, vegetables 1.769 million tons, and melons 459,000 tons. Self-sufficiency exceeds 100%. Dadashov emphasized that the fruit and vegetable sector is key for rural economic development, employment, and exports.
Key goals include increasing productivity, reducing losses, and expanding processing and logistics infrastructure. The State Program plans to expand intensive orchards to 70,000 hectares, greenhouses to 2,000 hectares, and cold storage capacity to 500,000 tons.
Karabakh and East Zangezur, with vast land, favorable climate, and water resources, can become a new agrarian development hub. Potential crops include grapes, fruits, grains, livestock, and beekeeping. Restoration of reservoirs and modern infrastructure will support the Great Return.
Modern agroparks, digital management, and pivot irrigation systems can create a competitive agricultural model. The agrarian sector is vital for employment and food security in the region.
