AZE.US
Fish prices in Azerbaijan could come under upward pressure after the Cabinet of Ministers approved new charges for the special use of water bodies, with the rules set to take effect on September 1, 2026.
The decision approves both the payment rates for special-purpose use of water resources and the standard contract form to be used between the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency and individuals or companies.
The move is drawing attention because much of the fish consumed in Azerbaijan is raised in artificial lakes and aquaculture facilities, where water is a core production input. Any increase in water-related costs is likely to feed directly into the cost of fish farming.
Akif Nasirli, head of the Liberal Economists Center, told Bizim.Media that the new decision introduces payments for those using water bodies for commercial purposes, a category that could affect fish farming both directly and indirectly.
If fish production is carried out on an industrial or commercial basis, the cost of using water may rise, lifting overall production expenses, he said. That, in turn, could push up prices for fish and fish products on the domestic market.
Nasirli noted that the situation is different for recreational fishing. Under current legislation, fishing in publicly accessible water bodies for personal needs remains free of charge, meaning ordinary citizens are not expected to face direct new fees.
The main impact, therefore, is expected to fall on commercial fisheries and aquaculture operators rather than on amateur anglers.
Whether consumers see a sharp increase in prices will depend on how much of the added cost producers decide to absorb and how much they pass on to buyers. But with the new rules set to come into force in early autumn, the fish market may begin to feel the effect later this year.
AZE.US