Azerbaijan Dried Apricot Importers - B/L Reflection Trade Data

The Republic of Azerbaijan, situated at the strategic crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia along the Caspian Sea, occupies an increasingly important position in the regional dried fruit trade of the South Caucasus. Although Azerbaijan is itself a notable producer of fresh stone fruits — including apricots grown in the Guba-Khachmaz, Sheki-Zagatala, and Ganja-Gazakh regions — the country also imports dried apricots to meet specific market segments, particularly for processed food manufacturers, retail-packaged snacks, and re-export to neighboring CIS markets.

This page presents an in-depth analysis of 4 bill-of-lading (B/L) shipments of dried apricots imported into Azerbaijan in late February 2022. The dataset captures a total trade value of $20,050.36 USD across approximately 5,368 kilograms of dried apricots and packaged apricot products. The data is derived from reflection bill-of-lading records, as explained in the methodology note below.

Summary of B/L Shipments

The four shipments analyzed in this dataset occurred over a tight two-day window in late February 2022 — specifically on 24 February 2022 and 25 February 2022. The consignments vary significantly in size and unit price, ranging from a small 2-unit retail-packaged shipment worth $32.27 USD to a large bulk shipment of 5,200 kilograms valued at $19,002.53 USD. This size disparity is typical for dried apricot trade flows, where importers consolidate both retail-ready packaged products and bulk industrial-grade raw material in close succession.

Shipment Detail Cards

Shipment Value Breakdown

The chart below illustrates the relative value contribution of each of the four shipments to the total trade value of $20,050.36 USD. As is clearly visible, the bulk shipment of "NO. 1 NATURAL DRIED APRICOT" (5,200 kg, $19,002.53) dominates the total value at approximately 94.8% of the combined value. The two mid-sized shipments of 84 kg each (DAY DRY APRICOT and DRIED APRICOT WITH SULFUR) contribute a combined 5.1%, while the small retail-packaged shipment (300g x 38 pieces, 2 units) contributes just 0.16%.

Product Differentiation: Sulfur-Treated vs. Natural Dried Apricots

The B/L descriptions in this dataset reveal an important product distinction in the dried apricot trade: sulfur-treated dried apricots versus natural sun-dried apricots. This distinction is fundamental to the global dried apricot market and significantly impacts price, color, shelf life, and target consumer segment.

Sulfur-treated dried apricots are treated with sulfur dioxide (SO2) during the drying process, which preserves the bright orange color of the fresh fruit, prevents oxidation, and extends shelf life to 12-18 months under proper storage. These apricots are typically destined for European, North American, and East Asian markets where visual appeal and long shelf life are prioritized. Major producers include Turkey (Malatya region), South Africa, and California. In this dataset, the shipment described as "DRIED APRICOT WITH SULFUR" (84 kg, $520.00) represents this category, with a unit price of approximately $6.19 per kilogram.

Natural sun-dried apricots are dried without any sulfur treatment, resulting in a darker brown color, more intense caramel-like flavor, and shorter shelf life of 6-9 months. These are preferred by South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian consumers who value traditional flavor profile over visual appearance. Major producers include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and parts of Iran. In this dataset, the shipment described as "NO. 1 NATURAL DRIED APRICOT" (5,200 kg, $19,002.53) represents this category, with a unit price of approximately $3.65 per kilogram — notably lower than the sulfur-treated variant, reflecting the bulk volume and the absence of chemical processing costs.

Azerbaijan Dried Apricot Market Context

Azerbaijan's dried apricot market occupies an interesting dual role in regional trade. On one hand, Azerbaijan produces fresh apricots domestically — primarily in the Guba-Khachmaz region in the north, the Sheki-Zagatala region in the northwest, and the Ganja-Gazakh region in the west — with annual fresh apricot production typically ranging between 30,000 and 50,000 metric tons depending on weather conditions. A portion of this fresh production is sun-dried locally for traditional consumption and for use in the production of alcha (dried sour plum) and other traditional Azerbaijani preserves.

On the other hand, Azerbaijan imports dried apricots from neighboring countries to meet specific market demands that domestic production cannot fully satisfy. The main source countries for Azerbaijani dried apricot imports are:

• Turkey — the world's largest dried apricot producer (Malatya region), supplying sulfur-treated apricots for retail and premium markets
• Uzbekistan — a major producer of natural sun-dried apricots from the Fergana Valley, supplying traditional-flavor apricots at competitive prices
• Iran — supplies dried apricots primarily through cross-border trade via the Astara border crossing
• Tajikistan and Afghanistan — smaller-volume suppliers of premium natural dried apricots

The fact that the B/L dataset shows the export country as "Azerbaijan" for all four shipments requires clarification: this is reflection data captured by partner-country customs, where the shipment's origin (exporter's location) was recorded as Azerbaijan. This means the dried apricots in question were exported from Azerbaijan to a partner country (likely Turkey, Russia, or another CIS market) rather than imported into Azerbaijan. The reflection data provides visibility into Azerbaijan's role as a dried apricot supplier as well as a consumer market.

HS Code 081310: Dried Apricots in International Trade

All dried apricot shipments in this dataset fall under the international HS code 081310, which covers "Apricots, dried" under Chapter 08 of the Harmonized System (Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons). The 6-digit HS code 081310 is universally recognized by customs authorities worldwide, with country-specific extensions to 8 or 10 digits for additional tariff classification.

Key subheadings under HS 081310 include:

• 08131010 — Dried apricots, halves (commonly used in EU and Turkish customs)
• 08131090 — Dried apricots, other (including whole, slabs, and paste forms)
• 0813100000 — Dried apricots, general (used by CIS countries including Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan)

Under the CIS free-trade area agreements, dried apricots traded between Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and other member states typically attract zero or reduced customs duties. This preferential tariff regime explains the high volume of intraregional dried apricot trade in the Caucasus and Central Asia, and supports the trade flows observed in this dataset.

Trade Route and Logistics Context

Azerbaijan's dried apricot trade is shaped by the country's unique logistics infrastructure. The country is served by several major ports on the Caspian Sea, with the Baku International Sea Trade Port in Alat (about 65 km south of Baku) being the primary cargo hub. The Alat port, inaugurated in 2014 and continuously expanded since, handles containerized, RoRo, and bulk cargo, and serves as a critical node in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) — the modern revival of the ancient Silk Road connecting China to Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Turkey.

For dried apricot shipments, the typical trade routes are:

1. Road transport via Georgia: Truck from Azerbaijan to Georgia, connecting to the Black Sea ports of Poti or Batumi for onward shipment to Turkey, Ukraine, or European markets. This is the primary route for Azerbaijani exports to Turkey and Europe.
2. Rail transport via Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway: Direct rail link from Baku through Tbilisi to Kars in eastern Turkey, with onward connections to the Turkish national rail network and beyond. Operational since 2017, the BTK railway has significantly reduced transit times for Central Asian-Caucasian-Turkish trade.
3. Caspian Sea ferry: RoRo ferry services from Baku to Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) and Aktau (Kazakhstan), connecting Azerbaijani trade with Central Asian markets. This is the primary route for dried apricot exports to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other Central Asian countries.
4. Direct road to Russia: Northbound truck routes via Dagestan (Russia) along the Caspian coast, connecting Azerbaijan to southern Russian markets and onward to Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

For the February 2022 shipments analyzed here, the B/L data does not specify the mode of transport or the destination port. However, the timing (late February 2022) and the timing of the dataset's compilation suggest these shipments may have been part of pre-spring inventory restocking by trading partners ahead of the Ramadan holiday period, which in 2022 began on April 2. Dried apricots and other dried fruits are traditionally in high demand during Ramadan for iftar (fast-breaking) meals and Ramadan gift baskets.

Azerbaijan's Role in the South Caucasus Dried Fruit Trade

Azerbaijan occupies a strategic position in the South Caucasus dried fruit trade, serving both as a producer-exporter and as a transit hub for Central Asian and Turkish dried fruits en route to Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The country's role is enhanced by several factors:

• Geographic position: Bordered by Russia to the north, Iran to the south, Georgia to the northwest, and the Caspian Sea to the east, Azerbaijan serves as a natural transit corridor for north-south and east-west trade.
• Port infrastructure: The Baku International Sea Trade Port at Alat is the largest Caspian Sea port, with capacity to handle 15 million tons of cargo and 100,000 TEU containers per year.
• Rail connectivity: The BTK railway and the planned extension of the North-South Transport Corridor connect Azerbaijan to Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Russia, and potentially India via the INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor).
• Free trade agreements: Azerbaijan's membership in the CIS free-trade framework enables duty-free or preferential-tariff trade with most former Soviet republics, simplifying dried fruit trade within the region.
• Growing domestic consumption: Azerbaijan's population of approximately 10 million, combined with rising middle-class incomes and growing food processing industry, supports steady domestic demand for dried fruits.

The B/L data analyzed on this page, while limited in scope (only 4 shipments over 2 days), provides a snapshot of the kind of trade activity that occurs regularly at Azerbaijani customs. The presence of multiple product grades (natural, sulfur-treated, retail-packaged) within a single 2-day window suggests a diversified and active dried apricot trade ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Implications for Trade Analysts and Market Participants

The B/L dataset, while small, offers several actionable insights for dried apricot trade analysts, suppliers, and competing importers in the South Caucasus region:

1. Multi-grade sourcing pattern: The simultaneous presence of natural, sulfur-treated, and retail-packaged dried apricots in a 2-day window suggests that Azerbaijani dried apricot trade is segment-diversified. Suppliers targeting this market should be prepared to offer multiple product grades to capture different consumer segments.
2. Bulk dominance by value: The bulk shipment (5,200 kg, $19,002.53) dominates total trade value at 94.8%, indicating that industrial-scale trade drives the financial volume of Azerbaijani dried apricot activity. Retail-packaged and small-quantity shipments play a complementary role.
3. Unit price differentiation: Natural dried apricots ($3.65/kg) trade at approximately 59% of the unit price of sulfur-treated apricots ($6.19/kg). This 41% price premium for sulfur treatment reflects both the processing cost and the longer shelf life. Suppliers should consider which segment offers better margins for their specific cost structure.
4. Pre-Ramadan stocking pattern: The late February 2022 shipment timing aligns with pre-Ramadan inventory restocking. Ramadan 2022 began on April 2, and dried fruit demand typically peaks 4-6 weeks before the start of the holy month. Suppliers should target January-February shipments to capture this seasonal demand.
5. CIS free-trade advantage: The reflection data suggests these shipments may have been destined for CIS markets where Azerbaijan enjoys preferential tariff treatment. Suppliers in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and other CIS producers can leverage this preferential access to compete with Turkish and Iranian dried apricots in CIS destination markets.
6. Confidentiality limits market intelligence: The anonymized buyer and exporter names (***) limit the dataset's usefulness for direct supplier matching. Trade analysts seeking company-level intelligence should supplement this data with premium trade intelligence services that disclose party identities.

Methodology and Data Limitations

The dataset analyzed on this page was compiled from publicly accessible customs declarations in partner countries where the export country was recorded as Azerbaijan. The compilation methodology has several inherent limitations:

• Reflection data coverage: Only shipments captured by partner-country customs authorities are included. Shipments to destinations where customs data is not publicly accessible (such as Iran, Turkmenistan, or Russia under certain conditions) may not appear in the dataset.
• Time window limitation: The dataset covers only 2 days (24-25 February 2022). It should not be extrapolated to represent full-year trade patterns without additional data.
• Confidentiality anonymization: Buyer and exporter names are not disclosed, limiting the dataset's usefulness for direct supplier-buyer matching.
• Value accuracy: Declared customs values may differ from actual transaction values due to transfer pricing, customs valuation methods, or other commercial considerations.
• Product description granularity: The product descriptions in B/L data are often brief and may not capture all relevant product specifications (variety, size grade, packaging type, organic certification, etc.).

Despite these limitations, reflection B/L data provides valuable visibility into trade patterns, product differentiation, value distribution, and timing of trade activity that is not available from aggregate national trade statistics.