Azerbaijan’s Dairy Industry in Numbers: A Glimpse Ahead of the DairyRally 2025 Roadshow
“Since last year, we’ve set a goal to hold two DairyRally roadshows annually,” says the event organizer and publisher of DairyNews.today, Mikhail Mishchenko. “Aiming for a broader international reach, in 2025 we are organizing two rallies: one in Azerbaijan and one in the United States.”
“Azerbaijan is a country closely connected to the CIS, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia. Although we are separated by the Caspian Sea, from both a market and historical perspective, Azerbaijan can be conditionally classified as part of Central Asia. It was a former Soviet republic and is now showing dynamic economic growth. We are observing rapid development in the dairy sector — new players are entering the market, and significant changes are taking place. However, the country still faces a milk deficit, which is why it’s important to draw attention to its potential.”
As Mikhail Mishchenko notes, the DairyRally itinerary includes visits to farms and processing facilities across Azerbaijan to better understand the current challenges, solutions, and opportunities in the country’s dairy industry.
As of 2023, Azerbaijan’s milk production reached 2.28 million tonnes, showing positive growth compared to previous years. More than 95% of the production comes from household and smallholder farms. However, the average annual milk yield per cow remains at around 2,800 liters. Still, through government programs, efforts are being made to improve genetics, strengthen the feed base, and enhance veterinary control — all of which are gradually increasing the efficiency of dairy farming.
The total cattle population in the country exceeds 2.7 million head, of which approximately 1.1 million are dairy cows.
There are more than 20 processing plants operating in the country, some of which will be included in the DairyRally’s packed four-day agenda.
At the same time, Azerbaijan remains heavily reliant on dairy imports. In 2023, imports totaled 50.8 thousand tonnes, valued at $181.1 million USD. Major suppliers include Iran, Russia, New Zealand, Belarus, and Turkey.
Exports remain modest — under $5 million annually — consisting mainly of yogurt, ayran, and powdered milk shipped to Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. This underscores the need for investment in advanced processing and expansion into new export markets.
The DairyRally is not just an informational event — it’s an important platform for dialogue among farmers, processors, experts, and government representatives. Participants will have the opportunity to see firsthand how the dairy sector is developing — from pastures to modern factories — engage with local producers, and discuss prospects for localization, modernization, and production expansion. This hands-on engagement creates unique opportunities to spotlight the challenges and achievements of the sector, share best practices, and help shape an effective development model for Azerbaijan’s dairy industry.
More details about participation are available on the website.
For all inquiries, suggestions, or to receive a preliminary program, please contact: ads@dairynews.today
