AZE.US
Traditional Azerbaijani tomatoes, once prized for their distinctive aroma and flavor, are gradually losing ground to foreign-bred hybrids that are are cheaper, more productive and easier to transport.
The shift does not necessarily mean that Azerbaijan is importing more tomatoes. Many of the foreign varieties are grown locally by Azerbaijani farmers.
As AZE.US reports, most stalls at Baku’s 8th Kilometer Market now display large, firm tomatoes developed from foreign seeds, while traditional Khachmaz varieties are increasingly difficult to find.
Price Drives Consumer Choice
Vendor Zaur Rasulov, who has sold tomatoes for about 12 years, said traditional varieties stand out because of their color, aroma and taste. However, most shoppers prioritize price.
Foreign-bred tomatoes sell for approximately 0.70 manats ($0.41) per kilogram, while traditional local varieties cost around 1.50-1.70 manats ($0.88-$1).
“About 90% of people entering the market are looking for a lower price, not quality,” Rasulov said.
Traditional Khachmaz tomatoes have thin skins and spoil quickly. By comparison, foreign varieties such as Lajent and Sultan are firmer, withstand transportation better and retain their marketable appearance longer.
Farmers Cannot Afford to Lose Their Harvest
Farmer Rashad Asgarov has worked in agriculture for more than seven years in the village of Gusarchay in Azerbaijan’s Khachmaz district. He grows Dutch-bred tomatoes on 14 hectares of land.
Asgarov said traditional varieties are no longer economically viable for commercial farming. They are more vulnerable to disease, vary in size and have an extremely short shelf life.
Once harvested, traditional tomatoes must be delivered and sold within hours. Otherwise, a considerable share of the crop may spoil before reaching consumers.
Foreign hybrids produce their first harvest after approximately 70-75 days, while yields can reach 60-70 metric tons per hectare.
At the farm level, a 14-kilogram crate sells for approximately 5-8 manats ($2.94-$4.71), depending on the variety.
Azerbaijan Has 27 Local Tomato Varieties
Agricultural specialists say Azerbaijan has 27 local tomato varieties considered suitable for commercial cultivation. Thirteen can be grown outdoors, while 14 are intended for greenhouse production.
Despite their superior taste, traditional varieties struggle to compete commercially. Foreign hybrids mature faster, produce larger harvests and are better suited to transportation and mass retail.
Azerbaijani breeders have now developed seven local hybrids, which are expected to be submitted to the country’s Agrarian Services Agency by the end of the year.
The goal is to combine the flavor of traditional Azerbaijani tomatoes with the productivity, disease resistance and shelf life of modern hybrids.
For now, consumers face a straightforward choice: cheaper, longer-lasting tomatoes bred from foreign varieties or more expensive traditional tomatoes known for their aroma and flavor.
For many households, price increasingly outweighs taste.
AZE.US