AZE.US
The first summer fruits have reached markets across Baku, bringing apricots, nectarines, cherries, mulberries, cherry plums, strawberries and peaches to the stalls. The shelves now look seasonal, but prices are not yet giving shoppers much comfort.
Vendors say strawberries can be found from about 4 manats, or roughly $2.35, per kilogram, while apricots are selling at around 5 manats, or about $2.95. Cherries and some varieties of cherry plum can reach 10 manats, or about $5.90, per kilogram. Mulberries are being sold for roughly 1.5 to 2.5 manats, or about $0.90 to $1.50, peaches from around 2 manats, or about $1.20, and cherry plums from about 2 to 3 manats, or roughly $1.20 to $1.80, depending on quality.
The price gap, sellers say, comes down to size, variety and condition. Larger and cleaner fruit costs more, while smaller, softer or slightly damaged produce is cheaper. The origin of the fruit also matters. Some vendors pointed to varieties such as Victoria and Angelica.
Weather is the main reason prices are still high, according to market sellers. Rain and hail damaged part of the harvest, particularly cherry plums. One vendor said cherry plums were cheaper at the same time last year, selling for about 1 to 1.5 manats, or roughly $0.60 to $0.90, while this season’s prices are higher because of crop losses.
Shoppers are divided. Some see the prices as normal for the beginning of the season, while others say fruit has become another pressure point for household budgets. Vendors expect prices to ease if warmer weather brings more produce to the markets in the coming weeks.
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