By AZE.US
Azerbaijan imported 36,169 passenger cars in the first seven months of 2026, a sharp decline of 37.7% from the same period last year, according to the State Statistical Committee.
The customs value of the imported vehicles fell 37.8% to 1.12 billion manats ($660 million).
The drop in car shipments came amid a broader contraction in imports. Azerbaijan imported goods worth 16.8 billion manats ($9.88 billion) from January through July, down 27.4% in nominal terms and 43% in real terms.
Exports, meanwhile, rose to 34.23 billion manats ($20.14 billion), increasing 39.1% in nominal terms and 11.2% in real terms. The country recorded a trade surplus of 17.44 billion manats ($10.26 billion).
Azerbaijan’s total foreign trade turnover reached 51.03 billion manats ($30.02 billion). While the figure increased 6.9% in nominal terms, trade turnover declined 15.1% in real terms compared with the same period of 2025.
During the reporting period, Azerbaijan exported goods to 121 countries and imported products from 160. Overall, Azerbaijani businesses and individuals conducted trade with partners in 173 countries.
Economist Khalid Karimli said smaller economies such as Azerbaijan should not attempt to replace all imported goods with domestic production, as such a policy could increase costs, reduce efficiency and make products more expensive.
He said import substitution should focus on sectors in which Azerbaijan can produce competitive, higher-quality and less expensive goods. The country should also expand exports of processed products with greater added value instead of relying primarily on raw materials and basic commodities.
Karimli added that Azerbaijan’s efforts to become a regional transportation and transit hub could strengthen the country’s export potential and produce positive economic results in the coming years.
AZE.US