President Ilham Aliyev Visits InterFood Azerbaijan and Caspian Agro Exhibitions

Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the 30th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition “InterFood Azerbaijan” and the 18th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition “Caspian Agro” at the Baku Expo Center, marking a significant milestone in the development of the country’s agriculture and food industries.

Now recognized as national brands, the InterFood Azerbaijan and Caspian Agro exhibitions have emerged as the largest agricultural and food industry events in the Caspian region. This year’s edition, running from May 13 to 16, brings together 450 companies from 31 countries, spanning all pavilions and outdoor areas of the expo center. In response to participant and visitor demand, the exhibitions are being held over four days.

President Aliyev toured several key national pavilions, including those of Italy and Germany—countries with longstanding participation in the exhibitions. Italy’s pavilion features seven companies under the “National Pavilion of the Italian Republic,” demonstrating its sustained interest over more than a decade. Germany is represented by eight leading companies in the agricultural sector, marking its fifth consecutive year of participation.

This year’s exhibitions also highlight national pavilions from countries such as Belarus, South Korea, Georgia, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and, for the first time, Egypt. Notably, the Georgian National Pavilion includes eight companies, primarily focused on food production, underlining the country’s continued commitment with its tenth participation to date.

The exhibitions are being organized with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and are actively backed by key national and international institutions, including the Food Safety Agency, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency, the Export and Investment Promotion Agency, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Azerbaijan Exhibition Organizers Association.

A focal point of this year’s InterFood Azerbaijan is the 30th anniversary of its inception. Over the past three decades, the exhibition has hosted more than 3,000 companies and 150,000 visitors from nearly 50 countries. It has become an essential platform for promoting innovative technologies, strengthening global business ties, and addressing food security challenges.

As part of his visit, President Aliyev also explored the outdoor exhibits featuring agricultural machinery and equipment, along with the Smart Agro section, which highlights cutting-edge solutions in artificial intelligence (AI), smart villages, robotics, drones, green agriculture, and e-agriculture.

In line with the President’s directives, the Ministry of Agriculture has designated AI in agriculture as a key strategic focus for 2025. The Ministry is presenting several AI-related projects aimed at fostering collaboration between students specializing in AI and major agro-parks, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a regional leader in smart agriculture.

Belarus is also strongly represented with 15 companies specializing in cheese, dairy, meat processing, and agricultural machinery, reflecting more than a decade of consistent participation.

South Korea, participating for the second consecutive year, is showcasing advanced technologies in fruit processing, horticultural materials, and AI-based livestock monitoring.

Caspian Agro covers a wide array of sectors, including agricultural machinery, irrigation systems, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, packaging, crop production, and logistics. Thousands of industry professionals, including domestic and international experts, importers, exporters, and distributors, are attending, making it a key networking and business development platform.

The exhibitions continue to play a vital role in promoting the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand and boosting the country’s export potential and foreign investment attractiveness. As part of a long-term development strategy, organizers announced that starting from 2026, InterFood Azerbaijan and Caspian Agro will be unified under a new brand: AgriWeek—a comprehensive initiative to elevate the global standing of Azerbaijan’s agriculture and food sectors.

Through platforms such as these, Azerbaijan continues to assert its role as a regional hub for agricultural innovation and sustainable food production.