A horticultural and cold storage complex operated by Ismikhanly LLC in Azerbaijan's Gusar region is developing intensive orchards using modern agricultural technologies. The company has established orchards on 330 hectares in Gusar and an additional 30 hectares in Agsu.
Currently, the Gusar orchards include 230 hectares of apple trees, 35 hectares of pears, 26 hectares of peaches, 21 hectares of nectarines, and 18 hectares of cherry trees. The use of intensive cultivation methods allows for more efficient use of land and higher crop yields.
Fruit grown at the site is sold year-round, both on the domestic market and for export to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia.
To ensure high standards in orchard management, specialists from Turkey, Italy, and Spain have been engaged. The orchards are equipped with water-efficient drip irrigation systems, which support environmental sustainability and reduce water loss. The company also uses advanced machinery from leading global manufacturers.
The cold storage facility was launched in October 2023 and includes 29 chambers with a total capacity of 8,700 tonnes (300 tonnes per chamber). The site also features sorting and packaging lines, material storage areas, and loading zones.
A modern sorting system classifies fruit by color, shape, and size, enabling the company to meet market requirements. The packaging area includes high-capacity folder-gluer equipment capable of producing over 1,000 boxes per hour.
The total project cost is 18 million Azerbaijani manats (approximately $10.6 million). The enterprise provides permanent employment for 270 people and seasonal work for 400. The Entrepreneurship Development Fund under the Ministry of Economy issued a concessional loan of 3.3 million manats (around $1.94 million). The company also benefited from customs and tax incentives when importing equipment.
Source: www.trend.az
