AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s export figures are improving, but that has yet to translate into cheaper prices at home.
According to the data cited in the report, the country’s non-oil exports rose by 11.7% from the same period of 2025 to $862 million, while food exports increased by 25.1% to $281 million. On paper, those are strong numbers. In the domestic market, however, consumers are still facing high and rising prices.
Economists say the main reason is that Azerbaijan remains heavily dependent on imports, even in sectors where local production exists. Many domestic producers still rely on imported raw materials, semi-finished goods and other inputs. That means higher external costs continue to feed directly into prices inside the country.
The issue, analysts say, is not only how much Azerbaijan produces, but how that production is structured. Local output is still too weak to fully meet domestic demand, and in many categories local goods do not fully replace imports. Quality, consumer preferences and limited alternatives also play a role, making it harder for increased local production to push prices down.
MP Vugar Bayramov said the state is already supporting farmers through subsidies and partial coverage of fertilizer costs. He said those measures help reduce production expenses and encourage higher output. Discussions are also continuing on whether those support mechanisms should be expanded further.
At the same time, Bayramov argued that one of the biggest problems for farmers is not only production, but sales. He pointed to models used in other countries, where part of agricultural output is purchased by the state, stored during the season and then released later at more affordable prices.
The idea is simple: guaranteed purchases would reduce farmers’ losses, encourage them to produce more and help smooth price spikes in the market after the season ends.
For now, though, the gap remains clear. Export performance is improving, but that success is not yet being felt on store shelves. As long as Azerbaijan’s domestic production remains tied to imported inputs, stronger export numbers alone are unlikely to bring meaningful price relief for consumers.