Azerbaijan.US
Prices for construction materials in Azerbaijan have risen sharply, with market participants reporting increases of 15-20% across multiple categories.
Journalists who attempted to verify the price hikes at a major construction market in Baku encountered restrictions, with vendors and security staff preventing filming and citing the need for special permission. Despite the lack of access, sellers informally confirmed that prices have increased across most product lines.
One of the most affected categories is timber, where prices have climbed by roughly 20%. Vendors say most timber sold on the local market is imported from Russia, and higher import costs over the past two months have directly translated into higher retail prices.
Experts attribute the price surge primarily to seasonal factors. Demand for construction materials typically rises toward the end of February and early March, as companies prepare for the spring construction season. This seasonal spike in demand puts immediate pressure on supply chains.
Inflationary trends are also playing a role. Rising costs across both food and non-food goods continue to affect the broader economy, and construction materials are no exception. Analysts warn that sustained price increases could eventually feed into higher construction and housing costs.
According to experts, one potential long-term solution lies in expanding domestic production of construction materials. A stronger local manufacturing base could reduce reliance on imports and help stabilize prices in the future.
