Wine fetches AZM47 billion to state budget

After the start of the land reform, the interest in viniculture has decreased, while in grain cultivation risen. In 1990, 1.2 million tons of grapes were produced in Azerbaijan, in 1995 - 309,000 tons and in 2000 - only 77,000, chairman of the permanent commission on agriculture Eldar Ibrahimov said during the discussion of the draft law "On wine-making" Tuesday.

According to him, in 2000, wine-making enterprises earned AZM47 billion, paying AZM18 billion in tax. Mr. Ibrahimov added that $8.4 million worth of alcoholic beverages were imported lasted year, while exports made up $6.1 million.*