Azerbaijan's foreign trade surplus nearly sixfold higher in first half of 2026

Azerbaijan's foreign trade surplus surged nearly sixfold in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, driven by a sharp increase in exports and a decline in imports, according to data released by the State Customs Committee (SCC).

The country's foreign trade surplus for January–June 2026 reached $7.98 billion, up 5.9 times from the corresponding period in 2025, Caliber.Az reports.

Overall foreign trade turnover rose by 1.1% year-on-year to $24.66 billion during the six-month period.

Exports totalled $16.32 billion, marking a 26.7% increase compared with the first half of 2025, while imports fell 27.6% to $8.34 billion, according to the SCC.

During the reporting period, Azerbaijan traded with 173 countries, up from 166 countries in the first half of 2025.

The number of individuals and legal entities engaged in the country's foreign economic activity stood at 30,229, compared with 42,689 during the same period last year.

The latest figures indicate a significant improvement in Azerbaijan's trade balance following a weaker performance in 2025.

According to previously released official data, Azerbaijan's foreign trade surplus for the whole of 2025 totalled $663.1 million, 8.3 times lower than in 2024. Foreign trade turnover reached $49.42 billion, up 3.8% year-on-year.

In 2025, exports declined 5.7% to $25.04 billion, while imports increased 15.8% to $24.38 billion, substantially narrowing the country's trade surplus.

By Sabina Mammadli