AZE.US
Summer fruit season has arrived in Azerbaijan, but prices at markets and stores remain high, frustrating many buyers who expected seasonal produce to become cheaper.
Customers say cherries, sour cherries, apricots and cherry plums are still expensive despite being in season. Some buyers said cherries that previously sold for 4 to 5 manats ($2.35 to $2.95) per kilogram are now commonly priced at 7 to 8 manats ($4.10 to $4.70), with better-quality fruit reaching 10 to 15 manats ($5.90 to $8.85) in some places.
“Cherries used to cost 4 manats ($2.35), maybe 5 manats ($2.95) for good ones. Now they are 7 or 8 manats ($4.10 to $4.70). In general, everything is expensive,” one buyer said.
Vendors also acknowledge that prices are higher than last year. According to sellers, cherries are currently sold for about 5 to 10 manats ($2.95 to $5.90) per kilogram depending on quality, sour cherries for 6 to 10 manats ($3.55 to $5.90), and apricots for 3 to 8 manats ($1.75 to $4.70).
Some vendors estimate that prices are 1 to 2 manats ($0.60 to $1.20) higher than during the same period last year.
Market participants and experts point to weather conditions as one of the main reasons behind the price increase. Heavy rain, hail, sudden cold spells and unstable spring weather affected the harvest of various fruits, especially more sensitive crops.
Experts also say the final price is shaped not only by the size of the harvest. Production costs, transportation, storage and delivery expenses have all increased in recent years. Those costs are eventually reflected in the prices paid by consumers.
Specialists say some seasonal fruits may become slightly cheaper in the coming weeks as supply grows. However, they do not expect prices to return to last year’s levels.
Even during peak summer season, fruit prices in Azerbaijan are likely to remain higher than many buyers expected.
AZE.US