By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan will export horseflesh to world market, while Kazakhstan will be the main direction for the horsemeat export.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Seyfaddin Talibov announced about this on December 12, further adding that a preliminary agreement has already been reached.

"As you know, this year Azerbaijan has started to export non-traditional agricultural products of animal origin. In particular, if we talk about export of horsemeat, we have already signed an agreement with Moldova, but for us the main export direction is Kazakhstan. This issue was raised during a meeting of the intergovernmental commission. And the country has begun taking concrete steps in this area, together with Kazakhstan," he said.

Kazakhstan, the cuisine of which traditionally is focused on mutton and horsemeat, turns to be the second market after Moldova which is interested in Azerbaijan’s horseflesh. The country will export horseflesh to Moldova starting next year.

In Kazakhstan, horsemeat is a large part of the diet, due mainly to the nomadic roots of the population. It's considered a delicious treat with deep history.

Talibov further mentioned that the horsemeat export will not only increase the volume of exports, but also allow to expand its geography. "We have already created a special commission, which is studying the field of genetic and breeding potential of horses," he said

While one of the main objectives, according to him, is to preserve the gene pool of horses, especially, horses such as Karabakh and "Dilbazi".

"We will take measures to prevent the export of horses belonging to this category with a view to preserve the gene pool," the deputy minister added.

It is not yet known what breed Azerbaijan will export, but this is clearly not majestic Karabakh horses, as said Talibov.

Azerbaijan's Karabakh horses have been a source of pride and dignity for Azerbaijanis over the centuries. The famed Karabakh horses, valued for their endurance in mountainous terrain, mild temper and dense chestnut color, are considered to be a national animal of Azerbaijan. They are considered one of rare species in the world and the oldest one in Asia and the Caucasus.

Also called the Deliboz, the Dilboz is a domestic breed from Ganja-Gazakh and Sheki-Zagatala regions of Azerbaijan.

The Dilboz originated at the end of the 18th century and is a composite of local Azerbaijan stock crossed with Arabian and Turkish bloodlines. Their bloodlines are similar to the Karabakh horse and a descendant of the ancient Azerbaijan breed.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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