Today.Az » Business » Minister of Agriculture: "Azerbaijan’s grain stock is 500,000 tons at present"
03 May 2008 [12:17] - Today.Az
The Ministry of Agriculture is not a government body that regulates prices, said Ismat Abbasov, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture.
He added that food prices are increasing around the world.
"The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Bank has issued notice. Azerbaijan’s former president Heydar Aliyev signed a decree on food security in 2001. Food security has since been ensured in Azerbaijan. The food security is also reflected in the State Program for the Social and Economic Development of the Regions. The President Ilham Aliyev has instructed the Cabinet to draft a state program to reliably provide food security. This envisions funding the areas reflected in the program and ensuring the country’s food security. The production and processing of agricultural products have to be increased in Azerbaijan," he added.
Ismat Abasov also touched upon the hike in prices of grain products.
"Despite all the measures being taken, Azerbaijan still can’t fully supply its demand for grain and grain products. Additional 120 000 hectares were planted last year. In a few months, we will harvest additional 300 000 to 350 000 tons of wheat. Our grain stock was 760 000 tons as of January 1, 2008. Wheat importation went on during the four months. 104 000 tons of wheat were imported in April alone. Under the rules approved by the Cabinet, wheat per capita is 180 kilograms a year in Azerbaijan. As of May 1, Azerbaijan has 500 000 tons of grain left in stock. Azerbaijan supplies its demand for grain products by 70%, meat products 90%, potatoes, vegetables and fruits 100%," he noted.
According to him, the rise in prices of meat products is caused by grain price hike too.
"Grains are mainly used in rearing livestock. We import some feedings for domestic animals. The prices of imports rise and, in turn, increase the prices of meat products. It is, to a certain extent, natural," he added.
He also didn’t rule out the probability of subjective factors in the price hike.
"We hold regular fairs for agricultural goods. Personally, I go to the market and sometimes encounter artificial price rise. That is unacceptable," he added.
/APA/
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