AZE.US
The cost of maintaining a healthy diet has risen sharply in recent years, making nutritious food increasingly difficult to afford for low-income families in Azerbaijan and around the world.
According to a 2026 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the average cost of a healthy diet worldwide has increased by approximately 25% over the past five years.
As a result, around 2.69 billion people – nearly one in every three people globally – are unable to afford a nutritionally balanced diet.
Residents interviewed in Azerbaijan estimated that healthy food for one person may cost between 200 and 400 manats per month. The actual amount depends on the person’s location, the season and the types of products included in the diet.
Healthy eating tends to be less expensive in rural areas, particularly for families that grow vegetables and herbs or keep chickens for eggs. The same diet can cost considerably more in Baku and other major cities.
Experts also noted that healthy eating does not necessarily require expensive imported products such as avocados or chia seeds. A balanced diet can be based on locally produced seasonal vegetables, fruit, eggs, grains, meat and fish.
However, organic products grown without chemical additives are generally more expensive than conventional alternatives. Their prices are influenced by production methods, lower output and the additional costs faced by farmers.
Economist Kamran Hajiyev said the main reasons behind rising food prices are higher production and logistics expenses.
The costs of energy, fuel, fertilizer, animal feed, packaging and labor have all increased in recent years. Perishable products such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat and fish also require refrigerated storage and specialized transportation.
According to the FAO, a significant share of the final price paid by consumers is formed during the processing, transportation and retail stages rather than at the farm itself.
A similar trend is being observed in Azerbaijan, where prices for fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat and fish have risen in recent years.
The increase has been driven by global food prices as well as higher domestic production, transportation and import costs. Local production has helped limit price increases for certain products, while imported food remains directly exposed to fluctuations in international markets.
Although nominal salaries and social payments have increased, healthy food has become less accessible for families with lower incomes. Food prices often rise faster than household earnings, forcing many consumers to choose cheaper products with lower nutritional value.
AZE.US