Baku, August 22 — What used to be the cheapest staple on every Azerbaijani table is fast becoming a luxury. Over the past week, cucumber prices have jumped sharply: the “fan-shaped” variety now sells for 1.60–1.80 manats per kilo, while the “spiny” variety has climbed to 1.00–1.20 manats.
Farmers say disease and bad weather are to blame. In Masalli, grower Anar Abbasov explained that fan-shaped cucumbers are dying off prematurely: “We used to harvest up to 17 times from one plantation — now it’s barely 6 or 7.” The supply shock means September could bring even higher prices.
But behind the numbers lies a bigger question: why is Azerbaijan, with its fertile soil and vast agricultural resources, so vulnerable to sudden food crises?
While billions are poured into showcase projects, “smart cities,” and glitzy events, ordinary families find themselves at the mercy of basic food inflation. There is no comprehensive system to stabilize prices, no real safety net for farmers when crops fail, and little incentive to invest in modern, disease-resistant varieties.
The government proudly speaks of diversification away from oil. Yet the cucumber — a humble vegetable grown in every Azerbaijani village — exposes the gap between rhetoric and reality. If a simple disease can send prices skyrocketing, what does this say about the country’s food security?
For many households, this is not just about cucumbers. It is about trust — trust that the state can guarantee the basics of life. Until agricultural policy becomes more than declarations and subsidies for appearances, Azerbaijanis will continue to pay luxury prices for ordinary food.
