AZE.US
Farmers in several parts of Azerbaijan say they are finding it increasingly difficult to sell their produce at local markets, arguing that the best trading spots are often controlled by resellers rather than by direct producers.
According to vendors, many farmers either cannot secure permanent market space or are offered stalls with rents too high to make sales worthwhile. As a result, some are forced to sell vegetables, fruit, greens and nuts on roadsides or near market entrances, often at prices below the official market rate.
The problem hits small producers especially hard. Farmers say they bring goods from villages themselves, but still struggle to compete with intermediaries who already occupy the most convenient and visible places inside the markets.
That pressure cuts directly into daily earnings. It is even more damaging for sellers dealing in perishable goods, who may not be able to keep produce fresh long enough to wait for better prices.
Some vendors say they are left with little choice but to undercut market prices just to avoid taking unsold goods back home. In their account, tomatoes selling for 5 manats per kilogram inside the market may be offered by farmers for about 4.5 manats, while cucumbers priced at 2 manats may be sold for around 1.5 manats.
Farmers argue that dedicated areas for direct producers could ease the problem. They say such a step would help growers earn more, reduce dependence on middlemen and give buyers access to fresher produce at lower prices.