In 2025, the issue of per capita food consumption and food security in Azerbaijan is in the spotlight as one of the main indicators of social welfare. Global inflation, observed increases in food prices, as well as climatic factors directly affect the daily food basket of the population. In particular, the consumption level of basic livestock products such as meat, milk, and dairy products, and the comparison of these indicators with previous years, reflect the nutritional quality of society. Differences in access to food products and per capita consumption between urban and rural areas necessitate a more comprehensive analysis of the current situation. While the product range is wide in cities, prices can limit consumption, whereas in rural areas, opportunities have a somewhat different character. In this regard, questions arise regarding the level of per capita food consumption in 2025 and the extent to which it meets the daily needs of citizens.
In his statement to Modern.az, Akif Nəsirli, Chairman of the Center for Liberal Economists, commented on the per capita consumption volume, taking into account the consumption trends formed last year, as follows:
“Considering the socio-economic situation observed at the beginning of 2025, per capita food consumption in Azerbaijan can be assessed as generally stable, but structurally changing. Consumption of basic food groups (bread and flour products, potatoes, sugar, and vegetable oils) is still sufficient to meet daily energy requirements. However, in terms of higher quality and balanced nutrition, especially for protein and vitamin-rich products, consumption remains below the ideal level. For this reason, although the current indicators meet physical needs, they are not considered sufficient for everyone in terms of healthy nutrition standards.”
The economist added that regarding per capita consumption of livestock products, no sharp increase is observed in 2025 compared to previous years, and a slight decrease is felt for some products:
“In particular, red meat consumption has been more restricted amidst price increases, with the population preferring relatively cheaper alternatives such as chicken and eggs. While milk and dairy product consumption has remained relatively stable, the share of quality products has also decreased here. The main reasons include inflation, rising production costs, dependence on imports, and a greater allocation of family budgets to non-food expenses.”
According to him, physical access to food products for the population living in urban areas is generally assessed as normal:
“Market diversity and the extensive network of trade ensure this. However, in cities, due to high prices, consumption is more dependent on income levels. In rural areas, although access to some products is limited, the consumption of milk, vegetables, and partially meat is provided through personal farming. Nevertheless, the low monetary incomes of the rural population weaken their ability to purchase additional products from the market, and consumption is formed within a narrower framework.”
In conclusion, A. Nəsirli emphasized that, overall, per capita food consumption in 2025 can be characterized as changing by approximately 2-4 percent compared to the previous year, meaning either a very slight increase or remaining stable in real terms. According to the economist, in terms of quantity, the daily food consumption of the average citizen meets basic needs, but risks still exist in terms of quality, diversity, and balance, which is particularly more pronounced for low-income families.
It should be recalled that, according to the latest consumption statistics, while per capita beef consumption in Azerbaijan remained stable, lamb consumption decreased, and the number of per capita fish and poultry products significantly increased.
