Azerbaijan.US
A contrasting picture has recently emerged in Azerbaijan’s meat market. Frozen lamb imported from Mongolia is increasingly supplying regional towns and rural areas, while locally raised sheep and lamb often remain unsold. Despite higher import volumes, retail prices for meat have remained stable – and in some cases have even increased.
The situation has raised questions among consumers and farmers alike: why does imported meat gain market share, while local producers struggle to find buyers? And why does increased supply not translate into lower prices?
Economist Natig Jafarli explains that Mongolia has a relatively small population but a very large livestock sector, with sheep farming developed on a large scale. As a result, meat production costs there are significantly lower, making exports economically attractive even after transportation.
However, consumer behavior plays a decisive role. According to Jafarli, local buyers continue to prefer domestically produced lamb, which is widely perceived as fresher and better suited to local taste. This sustained preference keeps demand – and prices – for local meat high, even as imports grow.
Another structural factor is the decline in domestic livestock numbers. Over the past five years, Azerbaijan’s sheep and goat population has reportedly fallen by nearly two million head. Reduced local supply naturally puts upward pressure on prices, offsetting any potential price relief that imports might otherwise bring.
Food safety expert and CEO of “Refresh Group” MMC Seymur Gafarov notes that regulatory changes have also affected market dynamics. Inspections at slaughter facilities and the closure of many traditional livestock markets have limited direct access for local producers, while imported frozen meat has become more visible in formal retail channels.
According to Gafarov, imported meat undergoes laboratory testing upon entry and is released for sale only after receiving official food safety clearance. Nonetheless, logistics costs – including transportation, customs duties, and cold-chain storage – are reflected in the final retail price, particularly when products are distributed to regions outside major cities.
Experts emphasize that meat prices are not determined solely by quality or safety, but by broader factors such as accessibility, infrastructure, and distribution costs. In regional markets, additional transport expenses often offset the lower initial cost of imported products.
Overall, the growing presence of imported Mongolian lamb highlights deeper structural challenges in Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector – from declining livestock numbers to market access limitations for local farmers. While imports help ensure supply stability, they do not automatically lead to lower consumer prices, especially when domestic production continues to contract and consumer preferences remain unchanged.
