BAKU, July 18, 2025 — Azerbaijani shoppers are grappling with a mixed bag of price trends in grocery stores, where staple items like butter and vegetable oil have seen steep hikes, while confectionery products are unexpectedly becoming more affordable.
According to supermarket manager Arif Dadashov, the past quarter has brought significant price shifts. “Butter that previously sold for 20.90 manats now costs 26 manats. Vegetable oil has also jumped from 3.60–3.70 to around 3.90–4 manats per unit,” he told local media.
At the same time, prices in the sweets category have seen a surprising decline over the past two months, reflecting a rare deflationary trend in a largely inflation-driven market. Meanwhile, other food items have increased in price by 30 gapiks to 1 manat, depending on the product.
“Seasonal fruits and vegetables are holding steady, but meat products such as sausages and cold cuts have gone up from 14.50 to as much as 15.30 manats,” Dadashov added. “In dry goods like sugar and tea, we’re seeing inconsistent patterns—some brands are more expensive, others have actually dropped in price.”
Economist Elshad Mammadov points to Azerbaijan’s reliance on imports as a core vulnerability. “Import dependence makes our pricing sensitive to international markets,” he explained. “To create more stability, we must prioritize the expansion of domestic production.”
Mammadov believes that long-term price balance requires deeper structural reforms. “Fostering a competitive retail environment will allow more players to enter the market, laying the groundwork for price stabilization—or even reductions,” he concluded.
