Village eggs are selling for 40-50 gapiks apiece in Azerbaijani markets, even though producers in some villages receive only 25-28 gapiks. Transport costs, middlemen’s markups and retail expenses widen the gap, while an autumn fall in production is putting further pressure on prices.
Vendors and rural residents interviewed in a television report covered by Vesti Baku said seasonality and the number of intermediaries handling eggs both affected what shoppers pay. At 50 gapiks, one egg costs about 29 U.S. cents.
From Village Yards to Baku Markets
Residents of the Ujar district said they sold eggs from their homes for about 28 gapiks each. At markets, they sometimes had to accept 25 gapiks from resellers, while paying their own travel costs.
One resident said a trip from a nearby village cost 4 manats (about $2.35): 2 manats each way. Selling from home avoids that expense but means waiting for a buyer. At the market, producers can sell more quickly, although buyers press for lower prices.
In one example, an egg sold by its producer for 28 gapiks was resold for 30 gapiks before reaching a Baku customer at 50 gapiks or more. Traders said the product could pass through three or four hands along the way.
Ten eggs sold by a producer for 2.50-2.80 manats (about $1.47-$1.65) can therefore cost 5 manats (about $2.94) at a Baku stall.
There is no single market price. In Tovuz, villagers quoted producer prices of 35-40 gapiks, while resellers charged 50 gapiks. Elsewhere, vendors reported buying eggs for 38-40 gapiks before adding their own margin.
Autumn Brings a Sharp Production Decline
Poultry and egg producers association chairman Murvat Hasanli links the increase primarily to seasonality. Village hens lay noticeably fewer eggs from autumn through spring, according to his comments cited in the report.
He put daily village egg output at about 380,000-400,000 in summer and 80,000-120,000 in autumn and winter. Those estimates indicate a roughly threefold to fivefold seasonal decline in supply.
Rural residents also pointed to autumn molting, when hens produce fewer eggs. Some vendors additionally cited higher grain prices.
One person interviewed said village eggs had cost 20-25 gapiks last year, compared with 35-40 gapiks now. Prices reach 50 gapiks at some outlets.
Village Eggs Cost More Than Commercially Produced Eggs
At the outlets surveyed, commercially produced eggs were offered for 16-25 gapiks, depending on size and category, while village eggs generally cost 35-50 gapiks.
For shoppers, that puts the price of 10 village eggs at 3.50-5 manats (about $2.06-$2.94), compared with roughly 1.60-2.50 manats (about $0.94-$1.47) for commercially produced eggs.
Further price movements will depend on output and market supply. For now, lower seasonal production, delivery costs and a chain of intermediaries continue to leave a substantial gap between village and retail prices.
Dollar equivalents use the official exchange rate of 1.7 manats to the dollar. One manat equals 100 gapiks.
Source: Vesti Baku.