Gusar, April 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the horticulture and cold storage complex operated by Ismikhanli Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the Gusar district on Tuesday, highlighting the nation’s continued investment in high-tech agriculture and export-oriented production.
Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov accompanied the President and provided a comprehensive briefing on the operations and infrastructure of the complex, which represents a major advancement in the region’s agro-industrial sector.
The company has developed state-of-the-art intensive orchards on 330 hectares in Gusar and an additional 30 hectares in Agsu. These orchards include 230 hectares of apple trees, 35 hectares of pear trees, 26 hectares of peach trees, 21 hectares of nectarine trees, and 18 hectares of cherry trees. The intensive horticultural model in use maximizes land productivity through efficient layout and precision cultivation.
The complex maintains year-round fruit sales and exports, with products distributed to both domestic markets and international destinations such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia.
To ensure the application of advanced agro-technical practices, specialists from Türkiye, Italy, and Spain have been engaged. The orchards utilize high-efficiency drip irrigation systems, promoting environmental sustainability and conserving water resources. The farm is also equipped with cutting-edge machinery sourced from world-renowned manufacturers.
Commissioned in October 2023, the cold storage complex includes a refrigerated fruit storage facility with a capacity of 8,700 tons, featuring 29 chambers each capable of storing 300 tons. Additional facilities include a sorting and packaging hall, a warehouse for materials, and dedicated loading zones.
The sorting system employs modern technology to grade fruits based on color, shape, and size, ensuring compliance with diverse market requirements. The facility also houses equipment capable of producing over 1,000 folding and gluing packaging boxes per hour.
Valued at 18 million manats, the Ismikhanli complex has created 270 permanent jobs and 400 seasonal employment opportunities. The project was supported by a concessional loan of 3.3 million manats from the Entrepreneurship Development Fund under the Ministry of Economy and benefited from customs and tax exemptions on imported equipment.
The initiative reflects Azerbaijan’s strategic commitment to modernizing agriculture, enhancing food security, and expanding the country’s export capacity through innovation and private sector growth.
