Azerbaijan.US
As the New Year approaches, households across Azerbaijan are preparing for holiday celebrations – and facing rising costs in the process. A look at food prices in capital markets shows that while prices have remained relatively stable in recent weeks, the overall cost of a traditional holiday table continues to place significant pressure on family budgets.
According to market vendors, preparing a basic holiday meal for a family requires a noticeable outlay. Ingredients for a traditional rice-based dish alone cost around 20-25 manats, while a standard salad for a four-person household adds another 8-10 manats.
Prices for fresh produce vary widely. Tomatoes are sold at 3-6 manats per kilogram, cucumbers at 4-12 manats, while locally grown oranges cost 3-5 manats and apples 2–3 manats per kilogram. Sellers report steady customer traffic ahead of the holidays, with no sharp price spikes on most items.
Meat remains the largest expense. Lamb is sold at 23-25 manats per kilogram, depending on size, while beef costs around 21 manats without bone and 17 manats with bone. Vendors note that although prices rose earlier compared to last year, they have stabilized in recent months.
Fish markets offer a wide selection, with prices for local varieties largely unchanged. Some imported fish, including products from Norway, have seen price adjustments. Premium sturgeon species such as beluga and sturgeon are reported to be 10-20 manats cheaper than last year. Trout sells for 8-15 manats, carp for 6-12 manats, and imported sea fish ranges from 14-25 manats per kilogram.
Specialists estimate that a modest but complete holiday food basket now requires at least 250-300 manats. The bulk of spending goes toward meat, cooking oil, and vegetables – staples that account for a large share of household food expenses.
While prices have not surged dramatically ahead of the holidays, analysts note that the overall cost level reflects persistent pressure on household purchasing power, particularly outside high-income groups. Seasonal celebrations increasingly act as a stress test for family budgets, highlighting broader cost-of-living challenges rather than short-term market fluctuations.
