Wheat and meslin market in Azerbaijan

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin market in Azerbaijan expanded significantly in 2019, with total market volume reaching 3.7 million tons, up from 3.1 million tons the previous year. This growth was driven by increased domestic production, which rose to 2.1 million tons, supported by higher crop yields and expanded sowing areas for winter grains. In 2018, wheat and barley yields had already improved, and the harvest season concluded earlier than usual. The following year, sowing areas for barley increased by 6.5% and for rye by 2.7 times, contributing to a larger harvest despite a slight reduction in wheat acreage.

After the peak in 2019, market volume declined to 3.2 million tons in 2020 and further to 3.0 million tons in 2021, stabilizing around 3.0 million tons in 2022-2023. Domestic production fluctuated, dropping to 1.7 million tons in 2022 before recovering to 1.8 million tons in 2023. Global factors affected the market during this period: in 2022, wheat prices rose due to unfavorable weather in Europe and the United States, logistical disruptions in Russia, and tensions in the Black Sea region. The following year, natural disasters including drought, hail, and floods destroyed thousands of hectares of grain fields in several regions, though production still increased moderately. Lower grain prices in 2023 were attributed to weak purchasing power and the absence of major suppliers' market interventions.

In 2024 and 2025, import volumes remained substantial, with 1.3 million tons imported each year. Azerbaijan's wheat demand is largely met by imports, primarily from Russia, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine along with reduced Russian export volumes continue to influence the market. Domestic agricultural performance shows positive signs, with rising yield indicators for winter grains as of 2025.

Production wheat and meslin in Azerbaijan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2018-2021

In 2021, Azerbaijan produced 1 837 K t of wheat and meslin, marking a slight increase of 1.0% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 114 K t, while the lowest was in 2020 at 1 819 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 14.0%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports wheat and meslin from Azerbaijan

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Azerbaijan exported 0.0 K t of wheat and meslin, showing only marginal fluctuations compared to 2020. Between 2019 and 2021, exports decreased by 100%, which translates to an annualized rate of 98.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, wheat and meslin exports from Azerbaijan were almost exclusively directed to Iran, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, wheat and meslin exports from Azerbaijan reached 0.0 M $ US, with minimal change compared to 2020. Over the period from 2019 to 2021, exports decreased by 100%, with a compound annual growth rate of 96.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the value of wheat and meslin exports from Azerbaijan was almost entirely linked to Iran, whose share made up 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021

Imports wheat and meslin to Azerbaijan

Imports in kind, K t

Azerbaijan's wheat and meslin imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling 1 148 K t, which reflects a decrease of 15.9% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 6.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 585 K t, with the largest increase that year of 46.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

During 2018–2021, the two leading sources for wheat and meslin imports to Azerbaijan were Russia and Kazakhstan, together accounting for 99.9% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, the value of imported wheat and meslin in Azerbaijan amounted to 331.9 M $ US, up by 11.8% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 61.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 340.5 M $ US, with the largest increase that year of 65.3%, while the most significant decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms of wheat and meslin to Azerbaijan were largely focused on Russia and Kazakhstan, whose combined share reached 99.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021