Azerbaijan suspends grain imports from Russia and Kazakhstan

Agriculture Ministry officer Sabir Valiyev told APA that the principal aim of the suspension is to protect the domestic market.

The price per kilo of homegrown grain was 300-400 manats (6-8 kopeck) because of grain importation from Russia and Kazakhstan. In case of shortage, the import will be restored.
The price rose to 700-800 manats after suspension of importation.

Azerbaijan fulfills its annual demand for grain through 1.2m tonnes of homemade and 0.350m tonnes of imports. Azerbaijan imported 0.7-0.8m tonnes of grain from Russia and Kazakhstan.

Mr. Valiyev says that suspension of the importation will not influence bread price rise.
Ogtay Hagverdiyev, chief of finance and credit policy department of the Cabinet, told APA that the price of bread is not expected to rise.

"The Government doesn't control bread price. If the price of wheat rises in the world market, the flour price may rise in Azerbaijan. But it is not convincing because the weight of bread is reduced instead of raising the price in Azerbaijan," he said.