Baku, May 5, AZERTAC

On May 5, the 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum - Caspian Agro Week, the 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition - InterFood Azerbaijan, as well as the 14th Caspian International Exhibition Everything for Hotels, Restaurants and Supermarkets - Horeca Caspian officially launched at the Baku Expo Center.

The exhibitions will continue until May 8.

The opening ceremony was attended by Majnun Mammadov, Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, Goshgar Tahmazli, Chairman of Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan, Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Management Board of Small and Medium Business Development Agency, Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO), Muhammad Nasar Hayat and Head of FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan, Edward Strachan.

In his remarks, Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture, said the participation of representatives of public agencies from various countries, international organizations, companies operating in the agricultural sector, investors, and farmers in the “Caspian Agro Week” once again underscores the strategic importance of agriculture and reaffirms the increasing significance of international cooperation in this field.

AFSA Chairman Goshgar Tahmazli highlighted Azerbaijan’s achievements in the field of food safety.

Orkhan Mammadov, KOBIA Chairman of Board, spoke about the opportunities created by “Caspian Agro Week” for small and medium-sized businesses, emphasizing the importance of exhibitions.

Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), underlined such exhibitions are pivotal in advancing the non-oil and gas sector and expanding the country's export opportunities. He noted that the Caspian Agro Week and InterFood Azerbaijan serve as essential platforms for showcasing national agricultural and food products.

Muhammad Nasar Hayat, Representative the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Azerbaijan, said the FAO is honored to be part of this very important and most prominent platform in the year for bringing together those committed to strengthening food security and advancing sustainable agriculture.

“This year's exhibition comes at a very critical moment for the agrifood sector. In a world facing growing uncertainty from disrupted supply chains to climate change pressure, the importance of resilient, innovative and self-sufficient agriculture has never been greater,” he noted.

Muhammad Nasar Hayat mentioned that climate variability continues to challenge farmers making efficient water use, healthy soils, digital tools and modern value chains essential, not optional.

“Caspian Agro plays a vital role in turning these priorities into practical solutions by connecting innovation with real world applications. In Azerbaijan, FAO’s partnership with government continues to grow stronger each year. Together, we are introducing more efficient irrigation practices, strengthening cooperatives, supporting sustainable land and water management and empowering farmers through training and digital tools. These initiatives are ultimately about more than productivity. They are enhancing livelihoods, protecting ecosystems and creating opportunities for rural communities.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's identity and economic progress as the sector continues to modernize. FAO remains committed to supporting innovation policy development and digital transformation, as well as climate resilience, solutions that help farmers adapt and thrive.

But we recognize that meaningful transformation requires collective effort. Governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, academia and farmers, as well as communities, all play an essential role in building a future where agriculture is both productive and sustainable,” the FAO representative added.

Following the opening ceremony, the participants and guests of the exhibition took part in the VIP tour.

The Caspian Agro Week and InterFood Azerbaijan - the region’s largest exhibitions in the agricultural and food industry sectors - serve as key annual events that bring together all major players operating in the respective industries. Over the years, these exhibitions have not only become reliable and recognised national brands, but have also secured their rightful place in the global exhibition calendar as leading international events.

The industries showcased at the exhibitions consistently receive special attention from the government.

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan provides organisational support to the exhibitions. The Ministry also participates in exhibitions with its own dedicated stand, where it provides visitors with comprehensive information on initiatives aimed at advancing the agricultural sector, as well as on innovative approaches and government support mechanisms.

The events are also supported by the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AQTA), the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan – AZPROMO, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASK), Azerbaijan Food and Beverage Industrialists Association (AQİSA), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association (ASTA).

This year, the exhibitions will be marked by several new features. Previously known as Caspian Agro, the exhibition is now organised under a new brand — Caspian Agro Week starting from 2026 and is presented as the Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum. The organisers believe that the updated and expanded concept will give new momentum to the exhibition and create broader opportunities for networking, cross-sector collaboration and effective business dialogue for both participants and visitors.

Some 447 companies from 45 countries around the world have confirmed their participation in the exhibitions. Alongside Azerbaijan, the geography of the exhibitions covers Germany, the United States of America, Belarus, Benin, the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Korea, South Sudan, the Czech Republic, China, Georgia, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Cameroon, Latvia, Mexico, Egypt, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Ghana, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Greece, Japan, Vietnam, Zambia, and other countries.

At the same time, within the framework of the exhibitions, Germany, Belarus, Brazil, Georgia, Italy, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Indonesia present their agricultural and food industry products in the format of national groups. AFAZ (Africa-Azerbaijan Cooperation) also takes part with a dedicated stand, showcasing companies from the following countries: the Republic of Benin, the Republic of South Sudan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the Republic of Cameroon, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Senegal, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Zambia. It should be noted that AFAZ and Brazil are participating in these exhibitions for the first time.

One of the key updates is that in 2026, the InterFood Azerbaijan exhibition is consolidated in a single location – Pavilion 4 of the Baku Expo Centre. Consequently, all local and foreign companies representing the food industry showcase their products specifically within this pavilion. This approach allows visitors to save time and explore all the latest innovations in the food sector more conveniently within a unified space.

The exhibitions are being organised both in the indoor pavilions and the outdoor areas of the Baku Expo Centre. In particular, the outdoor space showcases a display of large-scale agricultural machinery and the latest agrotechnical products. Here, visitors have the opportunity to closely familiarise themselves with the most recent technological achievements and equipment in the agricultural sector.

Alongside foreign representatives and local companies, Azerbaijan's regions are also actively represented at the exhibition this year. As part of the exhibitions, visitors have the opportunity to closely explore the agricultural and food industry potential of the regions.

As the largest agricultural exhibition in the region, Caspian Agro covers areas such as agricultural machinery, equipment, and facilities, irrigation systems, packaging, innovative technologies in agriculture, livestock and poultry, veterinary medicine, crop cultivation, fruit and vegetable growing, floriculture, waste processing, logistics, and e-agriculture. Once again, it brings together the leading participants of the agricultural industry, both local and international experts, including importers, exporters, agricultural product distributors, wholesale and retail trade representatives, as well as farmers, gathering thousands of professional attendees and creating unique opportunities for the exchange of experience, knowledge, and innovations.

At the same time, the exhibition features a “Smart Agro” section showcasing artificial intelligence, smart villages, start-ups, IT services, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and green agro initiatives.

The InterFood Azerbaijan exhibition presents products and services across various segments of the food industry, including beverages, confectionery, dairy products, bakery and flour-based goods, fruits and vegetables, packaging, food technologies, as well as halal food and other categories.

The exhibitions serve as an effective platform for promoting the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand. As in previous years, participants of both Caspian Agro Week and InterFood Azerbaijan present their products under this brand. This stands as a clear example of the development and competitiveness of local production in the global agriculture and food industries.

For the first time, Hosted Buyer (Buyer Mission) program has been organized during the Caspian Agro Week and InterFood Azerbaijan exhibitions. This program is being implemented to create a highly efficient and convenient working environment for visitor buyers participating in the exhibition. Within the Hosted Buyer programme, Russia’s “Lenta” and “Samokat”, as well as “Fresh Market” hypermarkets, along with other companies, participate in the exhibitions.

As part of Caspian Agro Week and InterFood Azerbaijan, a rich, productive, and intensive four-day business programme has been offered. The programme includes international forums, panel discussions, industry-focused presentations and master classes, as well as traditional B2B and B2G meetings.

Within the exhibition showcase zone, a series of forums will be organized by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including: III International Agrarian Innovation Forum, Forum "The Power of Agricultural Insurance Against Risks", 2nd International Forum of Agronomists within the Framework of Public–Private Partnership, and the Contemporary Agricultural Cooperation as a Foundation of Sustainable Development and Guarantor for Food Security Conference. Other events held within the framework of the exhibitions include the 5th Agribusiness Development Forum, which will be held at Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard and "AGROSCIENCE" Forum, to be held at ADA University.

A number of important agreements are expected to be signed within the framework of the exhibitions. Specifically, the presentation area will host the official signing ceremonies of an Official Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and John Deere Walldorf International GmbH and Official Signing Ceremony of the Statute of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS).

A series of presentations and masterclasses under Food & Agro Talks platform will be organized within the exhibition showcase zone at the Baku Expo Center during the exhibition days. Leading experts from the agricultural and food industries, producers, and sector representatives will deliver presentations on relevant topics, sharing their practical experience and knowledge. As part of the framework of Food & Agro Talks, panel sessions “Development of agribusiness and support programs in Azerbaijan: from small farms to large agro-corporations”, “Farms and Water: Sustainable Water Supply and Efficiency”, “Trends and Innovations in Azerbaijan’s Food Industry,” “Financial Solutions for Farmers” and “Ecologically Oriented Agriculture and Food Safety: Modern Approaches and Solutions”, as well as Interactive Case Session "Think Like a CEO" will be held.

Within the framework of the exhibitions, the “WomenSpace: Bake, Talk, Mentor” event and Exhibition of Chocolate Art Installations is also organized.

As part of InterFood Azerbaijan, “Retail Centre – Meeting Hub for Retail Chains” will be operating for participants and invited companies. On the second day of the exhibition, this Centre will host targeted business meetings between food industry producers and representatives of major retail chains. This platform will enable participants to present their products directly to potential buyers, establish new sales channels, and expand cooperation opportunities.

This year traditional Gold Shah 2026 - International Culinary Championship, which has long been an integral part of InterFood Azerbaijan, is once again in the spotlight of visitors. Now in its 6th edition, the Championship is organized by the Azerbaijan Culinary Specialists Association. The Gold Shah Championship is a licensed event of the World Association of Chefs' Societies (Worldchefs) and is held in accordance with international standards and regulations. The judging panel consists of licensed chef-judges from the Worldchefs representing 18 countries. A total of 22 teams from 11 countries compete for top honors across various categories in the Championship. It should also be noted that 73 of the participants are chefs from foreign countries. In addition, 160 chefs take part in the championship as individual competitors.

Every year, the organizers arrange tours to the exhibition for farmers from different regions of Azerbaijan. This year, over 500 farmers from 51 regions participate in the exhibition. As part of the exhibitions, farmers will be able to get acquainted with the latest industrial innovations and international experience. As a result of the farmers’ exhibition tours, the exchange of experience is encouraged, which in turn contributes to improving the quality of production and enhancing living conditions in rural areas.

As part of the exhibitions, the traditional bilateral business meetings (B2B and B2G) provide an opportunity for representatives of local and international companies to discuss cooperation and potential partnerships in a face-to-face format. Additionally, within the framework of these bilateral meetings, representatives of private companies will have the chance to meet with officials from government institutions.

As key platforms in the agricultural and food industries, the Caspian Agro Week and InterFood Azerbaijan exhibitions provide an opportunity to establish direct contact with the region's main producers and distributors. Companies gain the chance to showcase their products and services to potential customers and partners, while visitors have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the latest technologies and trends in the relevant industries.

The organisers of the Caspian Agro Week, InterFood Azerbaijan, and Horeca Caspian exhibitions are Caspian Event Organisers and its partners, Caspian Event Management and ICA Events.