AZE.US
Meat prices in Baku have increased again, with beef now selling for around 18 manats per kilogram, according to vendors across the city’s butcher shops and markets.
Just weeks ago, beef was commonly sold for 16-17 manats per kilogram, but traders say the latest price increase reflects higher costs in the supply chain and a gradual decline in livestock production.
Butchers report that the higher prices are already affecting consumer behavior. Customers are increasingly buying smaller portions, often choosing a few hundred grams instead of several kilograms.
Currently, locally produced beef averages about 18 manats per kilogram, while lamb sells for roughly 21-22 manats, particularly when it comes from younger animals.
Rising costs and shrinking supply
Market participants say the price increase is driven primarily by higher prices for live cattle arriving from Azerbaijan’s regions. As livestock becomes more expensive at the wholesale level, butcher shops are forced to raise retail prices in order to maintain even minimal profit margins.
However, the issue goes beyond short-term procurement costs.
According to traders and industry observers, the overall supply of meat has been gradually tightening as fewer farmers remain engaged in livestock breeding in rural areas.
Official statistics appear to reflect this trend. In 2025, meat imports to Azerbaijan declined by about 18.8%, and the downward trend continued in January 2026. Domestic production has not fully compensated for the shortfall.
Economists say several structural factors are putting pressure on prices, including:
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rising costs of animal feed
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higher fuel and transportation expenses
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exchange-rate effects on imported inputs
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the presence of multiple intermediaries in the supply chain
Each of these factors increases the final price paid by consumers.
How affordable is beef today?
Despite steady growth in wages, the purchasing power of households when it comes to meat has changed little over the past decade.
How much beef the average salary can buy in Azerbaijan
| Year | Average salary (AZN) | Beef price (AZN/kg) | Beef affordable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ~466 | ~8 | ~58 kg |
| 2020 | ~707 | ~12 | ~59 kg |
| 2026 | ~980 | ~18 | ~54 kg |
The data suggest that the real affordability of beef has slightly declined, even though nominal incomes have increased.
Analysts note that meat is among the food products most sensitive to inflation. Any increase in the cost of feed, logistics, fuel, or livestock numbers tends to translate quickly into higher retail prices.
Some experts argue that stabilizing the market will require stronger support for farmers, preservation of pasture land, and lower costs for feed production. Without structural measures, they warn, meat prices could continue to rise in the coming years.