The amount of money spent on groceries by the Azerbaijani population is increasing.
According to the report released by the State Statistical Committee regarding trade turnover, in the first 9 months of this year, out of the total trade turnover of 40.9 billion AZN, 23 billion AZN were spent on groceries, alcohol, and tobacco. This accounts for 56.1% of total spending.
For reference, in 2021, 50.7 percent of the population’s consumption expenses were on food products, beverages, and tobacco, and in 2022, it was 55.3 percent.
Compared to the same period last year, the money spent by the population on groceries has increased by 2%. The overall percentage increase in trade is 3.3%.
Average per capita monthly spending is 447.70 AZN. Of this amount, 251.30 AZN, more than half, are spent on groceries.
Overall in 2023, out of every 100 AZN, 56.10 AZN are spent on groceries and tobacco, 16.70 AZN on non-grocery items, 13.40 AZN on clothing, 5.40 AZN on gasoline, 5 AZN on household goods, 2.30 AZN on pharmaceuticals, and 1.10 AZN on technology.
Independent experts and economists often state in their explanations that spending more than 30% percent of one’s income on groceries indicates poverty. When income is so low and prices are so high, people can’t allocate money for expenses other than groceries.
