A new enterprise is being established to create a value chain in beer production in our country.
The development and industrialization of the non-oil economy is one of the main directions of the economy diversification policy of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev. From this point of view, along with other areas of the economy, special importance is given to the development of industry, systematic measures are implemented in the direction of attracting existing natural and economic resources to production, and wider application of advanced technologies.
The foundation of a new enterprise - a brewing barley processing plant - was laid on August 8 in Imishli in order to create a value chain in beer production in Azerbaijan. The enterprise that will be built on the territory of the Imishli Sugar Factory belonging to "Azersun Holding" will be implemented with the joint investment of "Azershekar" LLC, "Azersun Agricultural Goods" LLC and Azerbaijan Investment Company. The plant, which will initially process 11,000 tons of beer barley (malt) per year, and 17,000 tons at the later stage, will fully meet the raw material needs of the largest beer producer in Azerbaijan, the "Carlsberg Azerbaijan" brewery, as well as the producers operating in our country. 50 people will be provided with permanent jobs in the enterprise, the investment of which will be 25 million manats. Imports of this product will be prevented and more than 10 million dollars will remain in our country with the start of operation of the plant. More than 510 tons of feed additives will be available at the plant. A silo complex with a capacity of 12,000 tons will be built to store the plant's raw materials within the framework of the project and "Azershekar" LLC will also plant barley, sugar beet, and food wheat on an area of 8,000 ha in Agjabedi, Imishli, and Fuzuli regions.
Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashirli, speaking at the event held in connection with the foundation laying, made a speech about measures to increase state support for stimulating the production of competitive non-oil products in the country, improving its raw material base, creating new production areas that replace imports, and expanding export opportunities.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sarvan Jafarov assessed the establishment of agricultural products processing enterprises as a step to support the activities of our farmers.
Anar Mehdiyev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of "Azershekar" LLC, touched on the importance of the favorable investment environment created for entrepreneurs in the country, and emphasized that the plant to be built with Swiss technology is the first such enterprise in the South Caucasus region.
Mohammad Gozal, the general director of "Azersun Holding" for agriculture and processing enterprises, noted that it is important to grow the raw material base of the final products of the local processing industry in Azerbaijan. In this regard, "Azersun Holding" is based on this idea when producing sugar, feed products, milk processing industry products and, most importantly, canned fruit and vegetable products. The production of these listed products is done at the expense of processing industry based on local raw materials.
Alius Antulis, CEO of Carlsberg Azerbaijan, emphasized that the construction of the barley processing plant is an important step in the localization of raw materials used in beer production. The company's long-term strategy is to use completely local raw materials in the production of beer.
Note: Since 2019, "Azershekar" LLC has been cultivating brewing barley in local conditions together with "Carlsberg Azerbaijan" company. That’s what, it cooperates with "Azershekar" and SECOBRA Recherches, one of Europe's leading companies in the production of brewing barley seeds. The production of brewing barley seed was organized with the help of the AgroLab agricultural laboratory under the company. Brewing barley is grown at present in "Azershekar" farms located in Shamkir, Yevlakh and Agjabedi regions. As a result of all these measures, raw barley for beer production has not been imported to our country for 3 years. Local production of raw malting barley has created export opportunities. So, it is planned to export this product for the needs of Carlsberg's factories located in Kazakhstan and Russia.
