Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Favourable production prospects for 2025 cereal crops
- Near-average cereal production obtained in 2024
- Wheat import requirements in 2024/25 forecast at near-average level
- Retail prices of wheat stable year-on-year
Favourable production prospects for 2025 cereal crops
Planting of the 2025 winter cereal crops, mainly wheat, to be harvested from June, took place in November and December 2024. Precipitation amounts during the season have been overall adequate and production prospects are favourable. According to the State Committee of Statistics of Azerbaijan, plantings of the 2025 spring cereals, mainly wheat and barley, began last March under overall favourable weather conditions.
Near-average cereal production obtained in 2024
Harvesting of 2024 cereal crops finalized last August and the output is estimated at about 3.4 million tonnes, near the five-year average level. The 2024 output of wheat is officially set at average 1.85 million tonnes, supported by large plantings, although yields have been affected by below-average rainfall amounts during the season. Barley output is estimated at about 1.2 million tonnes, above the five-year average output, primarily due to a large planted area and the crop’s resilience to dry conditions.
Wheat import requirements in 2024/25 forecast at near-average level
In the 2024/25 marketing year (July/June), total cereal import requirements are forecast at average 1.2 million tonnes. Wheat import requirements, accounting for more than 90 percent of the total cereal imports, are also forecast to remain stable, supported by a relatively consistent level of domestic production in 2024.
Retail prices of wheat stable year-on-year
Retail prices of wheat flour have remained generally stable between April 2024 and March 2025 (latest available data), amid adequate domestic availability, and were at the same level yearon-year. The current exemption of the 18 percent value added tax (VAT) on imports and sales of wheat is contributing to the stability of domestic wheat prices. The measure is expected to remain in place until 1 January 2027, helping to maintain this price stability over the medium term.