AZE.US
Bread prices have increased in Azerbaijan, adding new pressure to household food costs as buyers report higher prices for some of the most common bakery products.
The rise is most visible in baton bread. In several shops, customers say bread that recently cost about 90 gapiks is now being sold for 1.10 to 1.15 manats. The increase, they say, has happened gradually over the past month, making it less noticeable at first but more obvious over time.
Sellers confirm that prices began moving up earlier this year, especially from late February. They say the increase came from producers and bakeries, leaving retailers little room to keep previous prices.
“If the factory raises the price, shops have to adjust as well,” sellers said, noting that some bread products have gone up by 5 to 10 gapiks at a time. In some cases, the total increase has reached about 10 to 15 percent.
Economist Khalig Karimli said one of the main reasons is the rise in wheat and grain prices. Bread production in Azerbaijan depends on both domestic and imported wheat, which makes local prices sensitive to changes in global and regional grain markets.
According to official figures cited in local reports, Azerbaijan imported 288,000 tons of wheat in the first three months of last year. In the same period this year, imports rose to 372,000 tons. The average import price also increased from $216 to $222 per ton.
But wheat is only part of the cost. Energy, transportation, labor and production expenses also shape the final price of bread. Even relatively small increases across several cost categories can eventually appear on store shelves.
The State Service for Antimonopoly Control and Consumer Market Supervision under the Economy Ministry said bread prices are set by market principles, based on supply and demand. Businesses are allowed to determine prices independently as long as they comply with the law.
The agency said it regularly monitors the consumer market to prevent unjustified price changes and ensure compliance with competition rules. If violations are found, measures are taken under existing legislation.
For now, the rise does not appear to affect all bread equally. The increase is being reported mainly for certain types of bread, including baton. But for many households, even a 20 to 25 gapik rise in a daily product is enough to be felt.
AZE.US