Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s consumer protection agency, has imposed a ban on dairy imports from two Azerbaijani companies, Atena LLC and Azaqro-Sp LLC, effective September 30, 2024, due to significant safety violations. The decision has prompted Azerbaijani producers to assert their product quality and express readiness for inspections, while Azerbaijan explores importing Russian dairy products to meet domestic demand.
Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian consumer protection agency, has announced a ban on the import of dairy products and cheeses from two prominent Azerbaijani enterprises, Atena LLC and Azaqro-Sp LLC, effective September 30, 2024. This decision follows a recent inspection conducted by Russian specialists at the facilities, where significant violations regarding product storage conditions and equipment operation were identified. Such deficiencies have raised serious concerns about the safety of various products, including butter, ayran, sour cream, and feta cheese.
Response from Azerbaijani Producers
In response to the ban, the affected companies have asserted the high quality of their products and expressed their willingness to undergo inspections. However, the certification necessary for importing goods into Russia has been temporarily suspended. This abrupt decision has sparked considerable discussion within the industry, with experts actively monitoring the developments.
Azerbaijan’s Interest in Russian Products
Amid these restrictions, Azerbaijan has shown an interest in importing Russian dairy products. On September 4, a business mission organized by Agroexport and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture took place in Baku, where representatives from Russian agricultural export companies gathered to discuss market strategies, particularly within the retail and HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, and Catering) segments. The Azerbaijani side noted an increasing demand for various food products, including both traditional and plant-based dairy items.
Prominent Russian companies, such as Miratorg and Molvest, shared their successful experiences in exporting to Azerbaijan and outlined plans for expanding their product supplies. Miratorg has been actively involved in the Azerbaijani market for eight years, while other dairy producers like Komos Group and Syrobogatov are also looking to deepen their cooperation in the region.
Impact on Trade Relations
Despite the import ban on Azerbaijani dairy products, trade relations between Russia and Azerbaijan remain robust. Russian producers continue to ramp up their exports to meet the growing demand for food products in Russia, indicating that the overall trade dynamics between the two countries are likely to be unaffected by this recent development.
