AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s spending on clothing imports rose sharply in the first two months of 2026, highlighting both rising prices and the domestic market’s continued dependence on foreign supply.
According to the State Customs Committee, the country imported $68.365 million worth of clothing and garment-related goods in January and February. That was $34.162 million more than in the same period last year, meaning import spending in this category almost doubled.
Economist Kamran Hajiyev linked the increase to a combination of factors, including inflation, broader regional price growth, currency-related pressure and higher logistics costs.
He said imported clothing is largely purchased in U.S. dollars, which means exchange-rate and pricing pressures are quickly reflected in retail prices. He also pointed to changing consumer behavior, saying more purchases are now made online, including impulsive and unplanned buying.
Another major factor is the local market’s dependence on imports. Domestic production exists, but it still does not fully meet internal demand. As a result, clothing prices remain vulnerable to outside costs, from exchange-rate shifts to transport expenses.
Hajiyev noted that even if the number of imported goods stays roughly the same, the total value of imports still rises when the goods themselves become more expensive.
Consumers say they are already feeling that shift. Buyers interviewed in the report said the same amount of money no longer goes as far as it used to, while affordable options are becoming harder to find despite wide market choice.
Some said clothing expenses now run at around 200 to 300 manats, while quality in some cases appears to be getting weaker as prices climb. Items that once sold for 50 to 60 manats are now often priced at 90 to 120 manats, according to shoppers.
Analysts say the rise in clothing import spending reflects several overlapping pressures at once: changes in consumer demand, limited domestic production capacity and the market’s strong reliance on imported goods. For now, few expect the upward pricing trend to ease quickly.