The Egg Paradox: Why Are Export Prices Lower Than Domestic Ones?

In the Azerbaijani segment of the Internet, a claim spread that in January-February of this year, more than 20 million eggs were sent from the country to the United Arab Emirates. It is noted that the average customs value of 1 exported egg was 10 qapiks, and they were exported to the UAE at 10 qapiks. In the same months, the retail price of 1 egg sold in Azerbaijan was 16 qapiks.

Is it true that Azerbaijan exports eggs to the UAE? If it does export, what are the volumes and prices? And if the information about exports at 10 qapiks is correct, why is the price of eggs within the country higher than the export price?

We decided to get the opinion of the relevant organization and an expert on this issue.

Member of the Agrarian Policy Committee of the Milli Mejlis Azer Badamov, in his statement to Oxu.Az, noted that in this situation, there is a large difference between the export price of eggs and the selling price in the domestic market.

"It is not right when eggs exported to the foreign market at 10 qapiks are sold in the domestic market at 16 qapiks. Because the market has its own laws. The domestic market should also be regulated by market rules, the causes of price increases should be studied, and price increases should not be allowed. From this perspective, the State Agency for Antimonopoly Control and Consumer Market Supervision should investigate this issue. Then appropriate steps should be taken. A competitive environment should be ensured in the domestic market, and a large gap between export prices and prices in the domestic market should not be allowed," he said.

The chairman of the public association "Association of Poultry Meat and Egg Producers and Exporters of Azerbaijan" Murvet Hasanli stated that the wholesale price of eggs in Azerbaijan, including delivery from factories to stores, is about 10 qapiks.

"Eggs are sold in stores for 12-13 qapiks. Currently, one box - 360 eggs is sold in the USA for 36 dollars, and in Dubai - for 31-33 dollars. In the local market, one box - 360 eggs costs about 37-39 manats. In January-February, due to a small surplus of eggs at that time, sales to foreign markets could reach 22-23 dollars.

From March 24, 2025, to today, 18 million eggs have been sent to the USA," he noted.