Beef prices in Baku have risen by about 2 manats per kilogram in recent days, with bone-in meat selling for an average of 19 manats and boneless cuts reaching 25 manats.
Butchers said bone-in beef had previously cost about 18 manats per kilogram, while boneless meat sold for 22 to 23 manats. Prices now vary by retailer and cut, with some counters charging 19 manats for bone-in meat and 24 to 25 manats for boneless cuts.
Production Costs Climb
Farmers linked the increase to higher spending on feed, hay and livestock care. One livestock farmer said he had reduced his herd from eight to 10 cattle to four because costs were no longer being recovered. Butchers also cited higher wholesale prices in the regions.
Economist Khalid Karimli told Demokrat.az that several factors were at work, including smaller livestock herds, stronger demand and more expensive imports. He said the number of sheep and goats had declined by about 20% over 10 years, while cattle numbers fell 5% to 6%, even as meat demand increased.
Karimli also cited higher costs for feed, transportation, fuel and labor. One estimate put the increase in beef prices at 8% over eight months, while some market prices may have risen by more than 20% over the past year. Those figures are expert estimates, not a uniform price across all stores.
The Agriculture Ministry said the issue required further study. Karimli added that livestock diseases could also affect future prices, though the scale of any impact on supplies has yet to be assessed.
Source: Vesti Baku.