OMM Redaksiyası
With the arrival of autumn, new-season walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts and almonds have gone on sale in markets across Azerbaijan. Buyers say prices have not changed significantly compared with last year, while sellers report that some nuts are being offered at more affordable prices this year.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that one of the notable features of the market is that the products have not yet fully dried. Buyers say newly harvested walnuts and other nuts contain more water, meaning their weight appears higher than their actual dry weight.
Walnut prices stand at around 5-6 manats
According to buyers, walnuts currently sell mainly for between 5 and 6 manats per kilogram. Some buyers say prices have not risen significantly compared with last year and, in certain cases, are even slightly lower.
Market participants say walnuts cost around 7-9 manats in some places last year. Prices appear more affordable this year as the new harvest reaches the market.
Sellers also say the harvest is more abundant this year, which has affected prices.
“In previous years, they cost 8, 9 or 10 manats and were very expensive. Prices rose last year because the harvest was somewhat smaller. But this year, the harvest is abundant, so prices are a little better.”
Another seller said the cost price of walnuts is approximately 4.50-5 manats, with sellers generally adding 50 gapiks and no more than 1 manat.
Nuts are cheaper in Ismayilli than in Baku
New-season walnuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts have also gone on sale in Ismayilli, one of the districts where these products are widely cultivated. Prices there are reportedly lower than in the capital in some cases.
Sellers say products purchased directly from orchards or growing areas are more affordable. For example, if a kilogram of walnuts is offered for 3 manats at the place of production, its price can rise to 5-7 manats after reaching the market.
This difference is not due solely to the seller’s profit. Transportation, sorting, storage and preparation for sale also affect the final price.
Chestnut prices reach 20 manats
Chestnuts are currently among the most expensive nuts on the market.
According to sellers, the maximum retail price of chestnuts was approximately 15 manats one or two weeks ago. Prices have risen as old stocks have run out and new chestnuts have entered the market.
A kilogram of large, selected chestnuts currently sells for up to 20 manats. Medium-sized chestnuts cost around 14-15 manats.
Sellers hope chestnut prices will decline as more of the new harvest reaches the market.
Hazelnuts cheaper than last year
Hazelnuts show a different trend. Sellers say hazelnut prices are lower this year than last year.
Hazelnuts are currently offered at approximately 4-5 manats per kilogram. Sellers say the price was 7-8 manats during last year’s harvest season.
Almonds currently cost around 6 manats. Sellers expect prices to fall somewhat as more products enter the market.
Why are shelled nuts more expensive?
One of the main factors affecting nut prices is the form in which they are sold.
When walnuts, hazelnuts and other products are shelled and cleaned before being offered for sale, their prices increase significantly. Such products can cost two or three times more than nuts sold in their shells.
The price difference is reportedly not related solely to the seller’s profit. Shelling, sorting, transportation, storage and other processes also add to the final price.
Global market prices also affect Azerbaijan
Experts say the prices of walnuts, hazelnuts and other nuts are determined not only by domestic demand.
As these products are linked to both export and import markets, developments in global markets also affect prices in Azerbaijan.
“Since this market consists of commercial products and has export markets, while imported products also play an important role in the domestic market, price trends in global markets influence the prices of products such as walnuts and hazelnuts.”
According to the expert, future price changes will also depend largely on developments in global markets.
Could nut prices fall further?
Price differences are currently visible in the market as new-season products go on sale. The arrival of newly harvested chestnuts has kept their prices relatively high for now.
Walnuts and hazelnuts, however, are available at more affordable prices compared with last year. Further changes in the prices of some nuts are expected as supply to the market increases.
Thus, prices for walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts and almonds, among the main products of the autumn season, depend both on the stages the products pass through from growing regions to the capital and on global market prices. At present, newly harvested walnuts and hazelnuts are relatively affordable, while chestnuts are sold at higher prices than other nuts.
