President Ilham Aliyev viewed InterFood Azerbaijan and Caspian Agro exhibitions

On May 13, 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” held at the Baku Expo Center.

Now established as national brands, InterFood Azerbaijan and Caspian Agro exhibitions are the largest events in the Caspian region dedicated to the agriculture and food industries. The exhibitions, which cover all pavilions and the outdoor area of the Baku Expo Center, will run until May 16 and feature the participation of 450 companies from 31 countries. In line with participant and visitor preferences, this year’s exhibitions are being held over four days.

The events span a wide geographic area, bringing together leading agricultural producers from the United States, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Türkiye, and other countries. National pavilions from Germany, Belarus, South Korea, Georgia, Italy, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and—for the first time—Egypt are also showcased.

President Ilham Aliyev toured the Italian pavilion, which features seven companies under the “National Pavilion of the Italian Republic,” presenting a diverse range of agricultural products. Italy has demonstrated consistent interest in the exhibitions, having participated for more than 10 years.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the InterFood Azerbaijan exhibition. Over the past three decades, it has welcomed more than 3,000 companies and over 150,000 visitors from around 50 countries, earning a reputation as an effective business platform. The exhibition’s focus on new technologies and innovative solutions fosters the development of the food industry and strengthens business ties. Additionally, by addressing critical food security issues, it contributes to enhancing resilience in this area.

Germany also maintains a strong presence at the exhibition. The “German National Pavilion” includes eight companies renowned not only in Germany but also internationally for their agricultural production. Germany has been participating in the exhibition for the past five years.

The exhibitions are organized with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture. They are also actively supported by 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 Beverage Industrialists Association, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Azerbaijan Exhibition Organizers Association.

South Korea is represented by three companies at its national stand. These companies are well-known in the agricultural sector and specialize in fruit peeling and processing equipment, as well as horticultural materials. One of the companies also offers smart livestock monitoring and management systems powered by artificial intelligence. This marks South Korea’s second consecutive year of participation in the exhibitions.

The Ministry of Agriculture is participating in this year's exhibitions with a stand, focusing on the theme of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture for 2025. In line with the President's instructions, the application of AI in agriculture has been designated as a priority. The Ministry will present several AI-related projects during the exhibitions, with a key focus on creating synergy between Azerbaijani university students studying AI and large agro-parks operating in the market.

President Ilham Aliyev also visited the Georgian stand. The Georgian National Pavilion comprises eight companies, primarily showcasing food products. Georgia has demonstrated strong interest in these exhibitions, having participated ten times to date.

Caspian Agro covers sectors such as agricultural machinery, facilities, and equipment, irrigation systems, packaging, innovative agricultural technologies, animal husbandry and poultry farming, veterinary medicine, crop production, fruit and vegetable cultivation, floriculture, waste processing, logistics, and e-agriculture. It brings together thousands of professionals, including leading players in the agricultural industry, local and foreign experts, importers, exporters, product distributors, wholesale and retail trade representatives, and farmers.

The exhibition also features Smart Agro, encompassing sections on AI, smart villages, startups, IT services, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and “green agro” technologies.

The exhibitions serve as a valuable platform for promoting the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand. As in previous years, participants at Caspian Agro and InterFood Azerbaijan are showcasing their products under this brand.

For many years, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency has actively supported the exhibitions by organizing stands for small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies benefit from learning about market innovations, establishing connections with industry leaders, and developing their businesses.

Belarus is another country with significant interest in the exhibitions. The national stand features 15 food production companies specializing in cheese, meat packaging and processing, and the dairy industry. Belarusian agricultural machinery is also widely represented at the exhibition. The country has participated in the exhibitions for more than ten years.

President Ilham Aliyev toured the outdoor displays of machinery and the pavilions. Supporting the development of Azerbaijan's agriculture and food industry, the exhibitions promote the country's export potential, attract foreign investment, and serve as a platform for food security and innovative solutions. Considering the scale of the exhibitions and the rich program of events, Caspian Agro and InterFood Azerbaijan will be held under a new AgriWeek brand starting in 2026.