Azerbaijan.US
As New Year approaches, activity at Baku’s markets is picking up. Shoppers are stocking up for the holidays, aiming to make their festive tables richer and more memorable. As usual for this period, the surge in demand is accompanied by rising food prices.
Vendors say fruit and vegetable prices have increased in recent weeks. Mandarins are currently selling for around 5 manats per kilogram, depending on quality. Nakhchivan apples and the “Gyzyl Ahmed” variety are priced at about 7 manats, while oranges sell for around 4 manats. Imported pears from Uzbekistan can cost up to 8 manats per kilogram. Cucumbers have also become more expensive, with prices ranging between 7 and 8 manats.
At the same time, some shoppers note that certain products are cheaper than last year. For example, mandarins that sold for 4 manats during the previous holiday season can now be found for as low as 3 manats in some stalls.
Holiday demand is also driving sales of rice, fish, and poultry. Current market prices show:
Indian rice at 3.50 manats per kilogram,
locally produced rice at 2.50 manats,
turkey meat at around 16 manats per kilogram,
duck at approximately 14 manats per kilogram.
Fish prices, particularly for imported varieties, have also risen. Fish brought in from Turkey is selling for between 14 and 25 manats, depending on size. Prices for river fish have remained relatively stable: carp sells for 6–12 manats, beluga for 8–14 manats, and pike-perch for 7–16 manats. Fillets of sturgeon typically range from 40 to 45 manats and, according to sellers, remain consistently priced. Smaller trout sells for 8–10 manats, while larger trout costs between 10 and 14 manats.
Consumers say preparing a New Year’s table now requires a significant budget. Many estimate their holiday spending at between 150 and 300 manats. While most accept pre-holiday price increases as a recurring trend, they also warn against artificial price hikes.
Market analysts note that prices are shaped by supply and demand, as well as by product quality and whether goods are imported.
