17:27 - 17.12.2025

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December 17, Fineko/abc.az. In order to use animal skins more efficiently and profitably, it is planned to create centers for the collection and primary processing of hides in Azerbaijan.

ABC.AZ informs that Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture Zaur Aliyev said this during a public discussion on the theme "Current problems of milk and meat production and assessment of food safety measures" organized by the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (KOBIA).

According to the minister, in 2024, the number of cattle hides exported across the country reached 301,000, and sheep skins - 403,000 pieces: "These exports were estimated at $7.3 million and $500,000, respectively. The current export volume is only 30-35% of cattle hides going to slaughter and 16-18% of small cattle hides."

Minister’s adviser added that the main problems of the sector are the improper mechanical processing of most hides, the lack of modern equipment, shortage of tanneries, as well as insufficient incentives for tax and credit mechanisms in the field of processing hides and wool.