Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh (table) grapes are produced across multiple viticulture zones in Azerbaijan, with a large set of locally recognized table varieties documented by the country’s viticulture portal. In UN Comtrade-reported 2024 trade (HS 080610), Azerbaijan is a net exporter by value, with exports concentrated to the Russian Federation and smaller volumes to Belarus and other nearby markets. Azerbaijan also imports fresh grapes (notably from Iran in 2024), indicating seasonal supplementation for domestic availability. Variety ripening times range from early (“summer grape”) to late/very late, with late-summer to early-autumn activity supported by September grape events in Shamakhi.
Market RoleProducer and regional exporter; seasonal importer for domestic supply smoothing
Domestic RoleDomestic fresh-fruit consumption market with local production and supplemental imports
SeasonalityVarieties span early to late/very late ripening; harvest and marketing activity peaks in late summer to early autumn, with documented September grape events in Shamakhi.
Specification
Secondary Variety- Agh shani
- Gara shani
- Agh khalili
- Agh huseyni
- Tabrizi
- Gara kishmish
- Agh oval kishmish
- Chahrayi tayfi
- Novrast
- Gelinbarmagy (Gelinbarmag Huseyni)
Physical Attributes- Documented table varieties include elongated 'finger form' grapes (e.g., Gelinbarmagy/Gelinbarmag Huseyni) and large bunch sizes in the national variety catalog.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Vineyard harvest → sorting/packing → road export shipment → customs clearance/border control → importer wholesale distribution (regional markets)
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Phytosanitary HighPhylloxera is described by Azerbaijan’s viticulture portal as one of the most hazardous grape pests, with vineyard destruction risk; it was registered in Azerbaijan historically and is cited as a key driver for requiring phylloxera-resistant grafted saplings in exposed zones (excluding Absheron).Source planting material on phylloxera-resistant rootstocks and require supplier evidence of clean, grafted saplings and phytosanitary management; maintain quarantine controls and pest monitoring in main grape-growing areas.
Regulatory Compliance HighFresh grape shipments can be delayed or rejected if phytosanitary certification is missing, non-compliant with ISPM 12 formatting/content, or inconsistent with accompanying road-export documents (e.g., CMR/customs declaration).Run a pre-shipment document and certificate conformity check (phytosanitary certificate per ISPM 12; certificate of origin; customs declaration; CMR/TIR where applicable) and align consignment identifiers across documents.
Logistics MediumRoad exports to primary regional markets are sensitive to border delays and reefer-truck availability; extended transit or temperature excursions can reduce delivered quality for fresh grapes.Plan for peak-season capacity, use refrigerated transport where required by buyer specs, and build buffer time for border formalities described in road-export guidance.
Labor And Social Compliance MediumCountry-level labor enforcement constraints and documented child labor concerns in agriculture can create buyer due-diligence and audit pressure on agricultural suppliers, including fresh-fruit supply chains.Apply supplier labor standards, document hiring/age-verification controls for seasonal labor, and maintain third-party audit readiness where requested.
Sustainability- Pest and disease management is a critical sustainability and productivity theme in Azerbaijani viticulture, including the need for phylloxera-resistant planting material in exposed zones.
- Irrigation-water stewardship can be material in lowland viticulture zones along the Kura–Araz river system where irrigated zones are documented for variety distribution.
Labor & Social- Seasonal agricultural labor due diligence: U.S. Department of Labor reporting highlights child labor concerns in Azerbaijan’s agriculture (notably cotton) and notes limitations in labor inspections, which can increase compliance risk for agricultural supply chains generally.
FAQ
Where do Azerbaijan’s fresh grapes mainly export to?UN Comtrade-reported 2024 trade for HS 080610 shows the Russian Federation as the main destination for Azerbaijan’s fresh grape exports, with smaller reported exports to Belarus and other markets.
Does Azerbaijan import fresh grapes, and from where?Yes. UN Comtrade-reported 2024 trade for HS 080610 shows Azerbaijan importing fresh grapes mainly from Iran, with smaller reported imports from countries including Chile, South Africa, Peru, and India.
Which documents are commonly part of the export file for shipping fresh grapes by road from Azerbaijan?Azerbaijan’s viticulture export-preparation guidance lists a customs declaration, invoice, and road-transport documents such as the international waybill (CMR) and, where applicable, a TIR carnet; it also lists certification such as a phytosanitary certificate for plant products and a certificate of origin.