Although Meat Production Has Increased, Prices Are Also Rising

On May 25, a meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev was held in Baku to discuss agricultural development and preparations for a new 2026–2030 State Programme worth nearly 6 billion manats ($3.5 billion). The meeting focused on food security concerns, stagnation in agricultural production, modernization of irrigation infrastructure, expansion of modern irrigation systems, productivity growth and the attraction of private investment into the agricultural sector.

Our research has shown that food products have been steadily becoming more expensive on the global market for the past three months.

In a recent interview with the media, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov stated that the cultivation areas of farmers participating in the country’s food wheat program are being expanded: “Last year, within the framework of the program, 126 thousand tons of food wheat were harvested from 22 thousand hectares of land” (1).

Recently, at the “Agricultural Insurance Umbrella Against Risks” forum held at Baku State University, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Agriculture, Majnun Mammadov, stated that the agricultural sector plays an important role in ensuring the country’s food security and that 80 percent of food consumption is covered by domestic production. I believe the minister should support with facts the claim that the agricultural sector truly occupies an important place in ensuring the country’s food security. He should also provide evidence for the statement that 80 percent of food consumption is supplied specifically through domestic production.