Azerbaijan imported $2.068 billion of food in January-September 2026, compared with $1.880 billion a year earlier. Comparing the 2026 customs report with the same period of 2025 gives an increase of 9.96%, or approximately $187.2 million.
A rising bill within a smaller overall import total
Food’s share of merchandise imports rose from 11.21% to 15.49%. Two forces contributed: the aggregate value of food purchases increased, while total merchandise imports declined. The larger share therefore cannot be attributed solely to changes in food shipments.
| Category | $m | $m |
|---|---|---|
| Food total | 1880.5 | 2067.7 |
| Wheat | 188.6 | 224.0 |
| Fats and oils | 175.0 | 223.6 |
| Fruit and vegetables | 218.5 | 219.4 |
| Meat | 75.8 | 89.4 |
| Milk and cream | 21.5 | 32.9 |
| Butter and milk fats | 136.4 | 113.5 |
The largest selected items
Wheat accounted for $224 million, animal and vegetable fats and oils for $223.6 million, and fruit and vegetables for $219.4 million. Together these three categories represented roughly $667 million, about one-third of food imports. They serve different demand chains, including processing inputs and products for final consumption.
Categories are moving in different directions
Meat imports rose in value from $75.8 million to $89.4 million. Milk and cream increased from $21.5 million to $32.9 million. Butter and other milk fats, however, fell from $136.4 million to $113.5 million. A larger overall food bill does not mean that purchases increased uniformly across products.
Where import substitution analysis begins
Producers need to compare imports with domestic output and seasonal availability. Customs value alone does not separate price changes from quantity changes. Nor is it the shelf price: logistics, storage and retail costs are added after importation. For business decisions, the useful next level is the individual product, shipment volume, unit value and feasibility of local production.