Azerbaijan.US
Prices for off-season fruits have surged across Baku’s markets, with some items now sold individually rather than by weight. Despite the sharp increases, vendors say consumer demand has not disappeared.
Residents report that fruits typically bought by the kilogram during summer are now purchased one piece at a time. A single peach can cost around 10 manats, one sour plum about 7 manats, while 100 grams of raspberries may reach 30 manats.
Sellers attribute the spike to limited winter supply and reduced import volumes. While markets receive fruit shipments measured in tons during the harvest season, winter deliveries often fall to just a few hundred kilograms, pushing prices higher.
Economist Fadim Raimov says a significant share of off-season fruit is imported from neighboring countries and Middle Eastern suppliers, including the United Arab Emirates. Additional costs tied to transportation, storage, and preservation of freshness further raise retail prices.
Current market estimates place sour plums at 200-250 manats per kilogram, cherries at 100-120 manats, apricots at 50-60 manats, and peaches at 40-50 manats. Analysts note that such price levels are typical for the off-season period and may decline once domestic harvests begin.
