In Azerbaijan, an essential food product has sharply increased in price

In recent days, potato prices have sharply increased in Azerbaijani markets and stores. If previously a kilogram of this product cost 70-80 qapiks, now it will cost buyers from 1.70 to 2.40 manats. New potatoes are even more expensive - from 2 to 5 manats per kilogram.

Why have potatoes become more expensive?

Agricultural expert Vahid Maharramov, in a comment for Bizim.Media, explained the price increase by a deficit in domestic production. According to him, the country's annual potato requirement is 1.5 million tons, while only about 998 thousand tons are produced domestically - 33% less than needed:

"Due to the shortage of our own potatoes, stocks are not preserved until winter, and we are forced to resort to imports," the expert noted.

Imported potatoes, according to Maharramov, are sold by resellers at inflated prices. Although in countries such as Russia and Turkey, potatoes are cheaper, in our country demand exceeds supply, which leads to price increases. New potatoes are also expensive due to high cultivation costs and limited production volume.

Additionally, Maharramov emphasized that the price increase is not the fault of the farmers themselves, but the result of markups by intermediaries and retail chains:

"To change the situation, we need to increase production volumes, improve product quality, and create conditions for long-term storage - for example, build refrigerated warehouses and train farmers."

Impact of economic factors

Economist Asif Ibrahimli pointed to other reasons for the price increase. According to him, the potatoes currently on sale have been stored in warehouses, which means their cost includes storage and transportation expenses.

"With the increase in the minimum wage from 345 to 400 manats, labor costs have also increased. In addition, utility expenses and fuel prices have their influence," the expert noted.