Alongside traditional Ecuadorian bananas, Azerbaijani-grown bananas have now appeared on store shelves. According to Elnur Kalantarov, the company's business development director, this became possible thanks to the efforts of AZERA Holding.
He emphasized that the key feature of these bananas is that they are grown without agrochemicals, making them an eco-friendly product. They also have a rich taste but a shorter shelf life than imported varieties.
Bananas are cultivated in a 10-hectare greenhouse in the Buzovna settlement of Baku, managed by Fruit Land, a subsidiary of AZERA Holding. Due to the early stage of production, the first harvest is relatively small—around 600 tons. However, the company plans to increase output in the future. Depending on demand, they aim to harvest bananas every nine months, gradually expanding production and offering a wider selection to local consumers.
Sales of Azerbaijani-grown bananas began on February 4, and they are now available in major retail chains such as Bazarstore, Rahat, and Ocean. Wholesale buyers can also purchase them at the Meyvəli market, making them accessible to businesses and individual shoppers.
Kalantarov highlighted that Azerbaijani bananas have a superior taste compared to Ecuadorian ones. They are sweeter and juicier, and meet the quality standards expected by local consumers. Despite being a locally grown product, their price is competitive with imported bananas, making them an attractive option for buyers.
AZERA Holding has introduced two banana varieties—a standard-sized type and a smaller, compact variety, to diversify market offerings.
Source: minval.az