On the eve of Novruz holiday (March 21), the price of beef and fish is observed to increase in the central markets of the regions. 1 kilogram of beef has risen from 11 manats to 12-13 manats in the last two weeks. The price of 1 kilogram of kutum fish increased by approximately 5 manats compared to the previous months and was 20-25 manats.
“We live by the sea, we long for fish”
A customer in the Lankaran bazaar said that he could not buy any of the meat and fish because of the high prices: “According to custom, there should be kutum fish on the holiday table. We live by the sea, we long for fish. They always raise the price during the holiday. I couldn’t get it, you can’t get close to the meat. I bought some blue-green. They raised the price everywhere. The price will not drop even after the holiday. The holiday is an excuse.”
“Fish enters the market after dozens of obstacles”
According to a person who sells fish, the price of fish was higher a week ago: “Now the price has dropped a little. The cost of the fisherman is high. Hunting gear is expensive. This fish comes to the market after dozens of hurdles. But there are fish in the sea. Compared to last year, the price is good.”
According to the butcher who did not want to be named in the central market of Astara region, the increase in the price of meat does not depend on them: “We bought 1 kilogram of meat from the population for 10 manats and sold it for 11 manats. Now they give us 11 manat. We are forced to put 1 manat on it. Goat meat is 13 manats, mutton is 14 manats. When the price of meat rose in Baku, it did not rise in ours. Meat is more expensive there compared to us. There is no skull. Most of all, they want goat meat. They sell meat in four places in the market, today only one place has fresh meat. As meat becomes more expensive, the population cannot buy it. The issue of price is not ours.”
“The holders of the duties have taken over the camping sites”
A resident of Selakaran village, Astara region, engaged in animal husbandry Mikayil Ahmadov explains the reasons for the increase in the price of meat as follows: “Owners of duties have taken over grazing areas. They mow the grass and sell it, and build a house in the fields. Another reason is the increase in the price of grass. A bundle of grass costs 5-6 manats. We used to buy a bundle of that grass for 2-3 manats. A 15-kilogram bag of bran costs 7 manats, we used to buy it for 3-4 manats. 1 kilogram of barley costs 60 kopecks. To bring a meat animal to 300 kilograms, care must be taken for several years. “I used to keep 30 head of goods, now I can’t keep 10 head of goods.”
According to the owner, this price of meat is not the final limit: “If it goes like this, the price of meat will still rise, 1 kilogram will be 20 manats. Not everyone will be able to buy meat. The situation of the population is not good either. I know a family whose tongues don’t touch meat for months.”
“Fuel is expensive, fertilizer is expensive…”
He compares the current situation with last year: “There was a profit. Now the profit of the storekeeper is small. These are related to each other. There should be arable land for livestock. They should plant corn and barley and give them a plow. Fuel is expensive, medicine is expensive, fertilizer is expensive, everything is expensive.”
Freedom radio