MP: Production of alcoholic beverages for export should be increased in Azerbaijan

The population of Azerbaijan is not inclined to drink, Tahir Rzayev, chairman of the Agrarian Policy Committee of the Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis (Parliament), said at the committee’s today meeting, Report informs.

However, according to the project on amending the law on Food Safety, the annual minimum production volume of vodka, which is a type of alcoholic drink, is increased to 100,000 deciliters, Rzayev noted.

The MP stressed that the reasons for this step must be disclosed: "According to statistics, there are countries that are prone to drinking, but Azerbaijan is not in that list. The reasons for this increase should be disclosed. If the alcoholic beverages produced here are to be exported abroad, it is appropriate. Such issues should be clarified."

Rzayev also highlighted that in 2023, the country produced 6,336 tons of tobacco on 2,744 hectares and 3 billion cigarettes: "We should increase production and export it abroad."