Food prices on Azerbaijani markets: New trends

"Today we observe a relative stability in food prices in Azerbaijan," Chairman of the Center for Sustainable Development Research Nariman Agayev said.

The food prices fell up to 15% at a local market this year, Agayev added.  

"At the moment, prices for meat and fish products are relatively stable while prices on some varieties of fruit, like apple from the northern regions of Azerbaijan and potatoes and onions have risen. The main reason for the price increase are the costs that storage of these products takes. Their storage in cold rooms requires energy expenditures which are compensated through consumers," said the expert.

"The cost of dairy products in markets and supermarkets has reduced 2% to due to healthy competition among manufacturers."

"Some retail chains reduce prices for dairy products up to 5% as part of some campaigns because of the approaching expiration date of these products. Today there is a new trend in a consumer market. The fact is that prices fall on the backdrop of approaching expiry date of goods," the expert noted.

"Actually, the state supervisory bodies constantly conduct raids to check compliance with food storage rules. Raids to identify overdue items in the consumer market are held by State Service for Antimonopoly Policy and Consumer Protection at a proper level. Thanks to this, we come across fewer and fewer expired food items now," Agayev said.

The expert said nowadays the population faces no problem of food deficit unlike in Soviet times.

"Now a significant amount of food is manufactured and put on sale and there is an extensive range of products. The population's food demands are met fully whereas in Soviet times consumers were always in search of some product," Agayev underscored.

"The problem is that neither manufacturers nor retailers conduct in-depth market analysis. Market volume is not analyzed and manufacturers produce large amounts of food at their discretion. And many products are not designed for long-term storage," said Agayev.

The expert also noted that in March, on the eve of Novruz holiday, there may be price rise on certain types of products used for the festive table, such as chestnuts, etc.


/Day.Az/