iCsquared GmbH, a Swiss-based company, together with its Azerbaijani subsidiary and local partner ABAK AGRO Alliance MMC, began supplying the local retail sector with the country's first locally produced fresh green asparagus at the beginning of September.
In 2023, asparagus varieties Atlas F1, Apollo F1, Grande F1, UC 157 F1, and Purple Passion F1 were imported from New Jersey, USA, registered at the Agro-Services Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, and planted at the WASSERSTEIN Swiss–Azerbaijan Asparagus Plantation No. 3320 in Karrar Village, Kurdamir, Azerbaijan, as part of the LOPAFA (Local Partner–Farmer) Program to pilot collaboration with local farmers. In March, the asparagus crowns were transplanted to the ABAK–WASSERSTEIN Swiss–Azerbaijan Asparagus Plantation No. 0532 in Dagh Kasaman Village, Aghstafa, Azerbaijan.
"The Aghstafa region, located in northwestern Azerbaijan on the border with Georgia, was recommended by the Ministry of Economy during COP29. The Aghstafa governor supported the initiative, making Aghstafa a strategic location for establishing asparagus plantations", they state.
© iCsquared GmbH
Fresh Aghstafa asparagus from ABAK AGRO hits ARAZ supermarket shelves.
On supermarket shelves, 12 hours after harvesting
The project, called the "Farm to Shelf Initiative", was implemented in partnership with ARAZ Supermarkets, a leading local retail chain and member of the Veyseloglu Group of Companies. "Within 12 hours of harvest, fresh green asparagus appeared on ARAZ supermarket shelves — a strong logistical performance supported by the Veyseloglu Central Distribution Center in Mahammadli Village, Absheron, Azerbaijan, which was crucial to timely delivery."
"Raising awareness among local farmers about nontraditional crops was a top priority of ABAK AGRO. To centralize farmer engagement and streamline dialogue with the public sector, ABAK AGRO initiated the establishment of the Azerbaijan Asparagus Farmers Association (AQFA), which launched with seven member farmers. The initiative, ABAK AGRO's plantations and awareness among women farmers also received extensive media coverage, highlighting the asparagus plantations and the vegetable's benefits for consumers."
"Support for nontraditional plantations is a priority reform policy of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan. Mr. Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture, paid a site visit to the ABAK AGRO Asparagus Plantation No. 0532, spending time on-site to better understand how the ministry can support the development of Azerbaijan's asparagus agro-industrial clusters", they continue.
© Landwirtschaftsministerium der Republik Aserbaidschan
Minister Majnun Mammadov is meeting with the ABAK AGRO team to review the asparagus production potential at ABAK AGRO Plantation No. 0532 in Aghstafa.
Public-private partnerships to support the sector
ABAK AGRO is currently negotiating with processing and packaging equipment manufacturers from Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands to establish the ABAK–WASSERSTEIN Swiss–Azerbaijan Asparagus Processing and Packaging Center in Azerbaijan.
The company plans to develop 40 ha of asparagus in the Aghstafa region and an additional 30 ha in other regions with ZAQRO MMC, while supporting local farmers under LOPAFA (Local Partner-Farmer) and LOPAWFA (Local Partner-Woman-Farmer) programs and members of the AQFA to expand by a further 100 ha in the coming years. "With this planned increase in production, Azerbaijan would be able to supply its domestic market and pursue exports to the CIS and GCC markets."
Recognizing the asparagus segment's growing attractiveness as an agribusiness, ABAK AGRO is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Agriculture to design public–private partnership (PPP) models to support the sector. "As part of these efforts, the company is discussing pilot seedling plantations to localize asparagus crowns and distribute seedlings and crowns to local farmers, thereby strengthening domestic production inputs."
In parallel, ABAK AGRO is in early-stage consultations with Karabakh University in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, to establish an R&D center with laboratory facilities at the university. "The center would engage students and faculty in developing locally adapted asparagus hybrids and support long-term innovation in the sector."
"Azerbaijan is emerging as a transregional hub for efficient East–West transportation. The recent trilateral landmark agreement between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States, which opens the Zangezur Corridor and advances the TRIPP (The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) initiative, will create a new super east–west transit route."
"That corridor will improve access for exports of Azerbaijani asparagus and other perishable goods to EU markets by shortening transit times and reducing logistical costs and barriers", they conclude.
iCsquared GmbH is working closely with its American partner, New Atlantic Horizon LLC, to establish distribution centers under the ASAAWA Consortium (Azerbaijan–Swiss–American ABAK–WASSERSTEIN–Atlantic). These centers will facilitate and streamline deliveries of Azerbaijani asparagus to European markets. Initial estimates place CNF Rotterdam at approximately €35 per 5 kg box of fresh green asparagus, a price point that would make Azerbaijani asparagus highly competitive across European markets.
For more information:
Ayaz Bayramov
CEO, Partner
iCsquared GmbH / ABAK AGRO
[email protected]
www.icsquared.ch