Azerbaijan’s meat market is undergoing a rapid shift. Over the past several months, imported products – primarily from Mongolia and Brazil – have begun to dominate store shelves and market stalls, attracting consumers with prices significantly lower than those of locally produced meat.
According to official data, meat imports to Azerbaijan rose by 41% last year compared to the previous period, marking one of the sharpest increases in recent years. Yet the trend has sparked growing concern: how safe is this imported meat, and how effectively is it being monitored?
In a response to Oxu.az, the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA) emphasized that all food products – domestic and imported – are subject to regular risk-based inspections. Imported livestock and meat products must undergo strict veterinary and laboratory testing before entering the retail market.
“The agency issues preliminary import permits based on the epizootic situation in the exporting country,” AFSA said. “Once a shipment arrives, regional officers conduct physical inspections, collect product samples, and send them to accredited laboratories for testing. Only after confirming compliance with food safety standards is the product allowed into circulation.”
AFSA also reminded consumers that all meat products must adhere to clear labeling, storage, and temperature-control requirements. Shoppers have the right to request accompanying documentation from sellers verifying the product’s origin and safety certification.
Consumers who suspect violations of food safety standards can report them by calling the “1003” hotline or using the e-Qidam mobile app, the agency added.
While cheaper imported meat offers short-term relief for household budgets, experts warn that Azerbaijan’s dependence on foreign suppliers could make domestic producers vulnerable – and raise long-term questions about food security and public health oversight.
