Azerbaijan significantly increased exports of fish and caviar – PHOTO

The Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AQTA) regularly conducts monitoring in the field of fisheries with the aim of maintaining epizootic stability, strengthening biosafety measures, and controlling the safety of fish products.

During the monitoring, the epizootic condition of farms and water bodies is assessed, and measures are taken for the early detection of diseases and the identification of risks, 1news.az reports with reference to AQTA.

Fishery entities are provided with methodological and educational support on issues of compliance with veterinary and biosafety requirements, as well as the prevention and early detection of diseases. These measures contribute not only to maintaining epizootic stability at fish farms and ensuring product safety, but also to expanding export opportunities.

As a result of the control measures carried out, in January–July 2026, 6,108.7 tons of frozen fish products were exported from Azerbaijan to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Compared to the same period last year, this figure grew by 81.3%.

In addition, documents have been signed between AQTA and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China creating a legal basis for the export to the Chinese market of seafood grown at aquaculture farms as well as caught in the wild.

In order to ensure the preservation of the permit to export to the European Union market caviar obtained from sturgeon raised at fish farms, the "National Plan for Monitoring Residues in Fish Products" is implemented annually, and its results are provided to the European Union.

Significant growth has also been recorded in the export of fish caviar. Over the seven months of this year, 954.2 kg of fish caviar was exported to 12 countries, including the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Italy. Compared to the previous year, the volume of fish caviar exports increased by 2.7 times. The exported fish products and caviar are provided with veterinary certificates in accordance with the requirements of the importing countries.

Along with caviar, AQTA is also carrying out relevant work to obtain permits for the export of various types of fish raised at fish farms to the markets of the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Chilled and frozen fish products are imported into Azerbaijan from more than 20 countries, including Iran, Russia, Vietnam, Turkey, China, Chile, Norway, and Estonia. With respect to imported products, AQTA conducts documentary, identification, and physical control. Safety indicators and minimum product quality indicators are assessed, as well as its organoleptic characteristics, after which the products are sent for laboratory testing.

In 2025–2026, AQTA conducted a total of 24 inspections at 20 fish farming enterprises. During the inspections, non-conformities were identified at 18 enterprises. In this regard, the necessary measures were taken within the framework of the legislation, and entrepreneurs were issued mandatory orders to eliminate the identified violations.

The risk-based monitoring, laboratory control, and biosafety measures carried out by AQTA are aimed at ensuring epizootic stability and the production of safe products in the fishing industry, supplying the domestic market with safe fish products, as well as maintaining access for Azerbaijani fish products to international markets and increasing export potential.