Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh quince (heyva) is an established orchard fruit in Azerbaijan, with official statistics reporting 43,754 tons produced in 2024 and 4,408.9 hectares of quince orchards. Production is distributed across multiple economic regions, with notable 2024 output reported in Shirvan-Salyan, Quba-Khachmaz, Gazakh-Tovuz, Shaki-Zagatala, and Central Aran. Commercial supply includes export-oriented orchards/packhouses that store, grade, and pack fruit for regional markets. Market access can be disrupted quickly when importing-country phytosanitary non-conformities are reported, as AQTA notes it can suspend phytosanitary certificate issuance for implicated exporters.
Market RoleProducer and regional exporter
Market GrowthGrowing (2021–2024 (official agricultural statistics))gradual expansion since 2021
SeasonalityCommercial harvest timing varies by cultivar and region; one major integrated exporter lists harvesting for its quince variety (Eshme) in the second week of September, indicating early autumn supply for at least part of the commercial segment.
Specification
Primary VarietyEshme
Physical Attributes- Round-shaped fruit form noted for Eshme variety (exporter description).
Grades- Caliber 80/90 (exporter-listed sizing for Eshme quince).
Packaging- Export supply chains commonly include sorting/grading and packing for shipment (specific carton formats vary by buyer program).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Orchard harvest → sorting/grading → cold storage (some exporters describe controlled-atmosphere capability) → packing → phytosanitary certification → cross-border distribution
Temperature- Some integrated exporters describe fresh-fruit storage in a controlled environment at approximately -2°C to +4°C with high relative humidity (company-reported operating range).
Atmosphere Control- Controlled-atmosphere cold storage is described by at least one integrated exporter (fruit stored in an atmosphere-controlled environment).
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImporting-country phytosanitary enforcement actions can abruptly block shipments: AQTA states that after notifications from Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary authority on non-conformities in exported plant products, it suspended phytosanitary certificate issuance for implicated exporters and initiated monitoring.Implement a pre-export compliance gate (pest/defect checks, residue-control discipline, packaging/label review) aligned to the target market’s requirements; maintain rapid corrective-action capability to avoid certificate suspension.
Phytosanitary MediumFire blight (Erwinia amylovora) is officially reported in Azerbaijan (detected in 2021 in apple and pear in Balakan and Oghuz districts) and is under official control; as a pome-fruit disease it can increase orchard risk and elevate phytosanitary scrutiny for pome-fruit supply chains.Verify orchard-level phytosanitary status and exclusion measures; require documented monitoring and sanitation controls and ensure movement restrictions from infected areas are respected.
Phytosanitary MediumBrown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is subject to ongoing national control measures and monitoring by AQTA; it is reported as a multi-crop pest that can materially reduce fruit marketability if not controlled.Require integrated pest management (monitoring with traps, timely treatments, and orchard sanitation) and tighten sorting/defect tolerance to protect export-grade packs.
Logistics MediumCold-chain and handling breaks can cause quality deterioration (bruising/defects) and increase the probability of buyer claims or rejection, especially on longer routes.Use validated temperature-control protocols, shorten post-harvest dwell time, and add arrival-quality SOPs (inspection photos, temperature logs, and agreed tolerance specs).
Sustainability- Pesticide/pest-management scrutiny linked to export acceptance risk (non-conformities can trigger enforcement actions and certificate suspension).
Standards- GLOBALG.A.P. (Fresh Fruit & Vegetables farm assurance scheme)
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used for fresh quinces in international trade statistics?UN trade classifications list fresh quinces under HS 2017 code 080840 ("Fruit, edible; quinces, fresh").
Which Azerbaijani authority is responsible for issuing phytosanitary certificates for exporting fresh fruit like quince?The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) country reporting describes the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AFSA/AQTA) as responsible for phytosanitary control functions including issuing phytosanitary certificates for import/export/re-export of plants and plant products.
What do official statistics report for Azerbaijan’s quince production and orchard area in 2024?The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan reports 43,754.0 tons of quince production in 2024 and 4,408.9 hectares of quince orchards (total area) in 2024.
Why is market access to major destinations a critical risk for Azerbaijani fresh quince exporters?AQTA reports receiving importing-country notifications (including from Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary authority) on non-conformities in exported plant products and states it can suspend phytosanitary certificate issuance for implicated exporters, which can immediately interrupt trade.