Azerbaijan’s foreign trade tops $12 billion in first quarter

Azerbaijan’s trade with foreign countries exceeded $12 billion in the first three months of 2025, marking a significant year-on-year increase.

Between January and March, the country conducted international trade operations totalling $12.05 billion — a rise of 24.3% compared to the same period in 2024, Caliber.Az reports, per the State Customs Committee.

Exports accounted for $6.39 billion of the total turnover, while imports stood at $5.66 billion. Over the year, exports grew by 6.7%, but imports surged more sharply, rising by 52.6%.

As a result, Azerbaijan recorded a positive trade balance of $722.93 million, although this figure is more than three times lower than the surplus registered in the first quarter of last year.

Note that, in early 2025, Azerbaijan's foreign trade dynamics reflected both resilience and ongoing diversification efforts. Non-oil exports rose by 6.6% year-on-year, reaching $485 million in January–February. Key growth areas included food products (up 12.3%), ferrous metals and related products (up 66.9%), sugar and confectionery (up 47%), and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (up 10.2%) .​

Agricultural and agro-industrial exports combined increased by 11.6%, totalling $162.8 million, signalling progress in reducing dependence on hydrocarbons. ​

Regarding oil and gas, BP's plans to add six new wells to the Shah Deniz gas field aim to sustain production levels, supporting Azerbaijan's commitment to double gas exports to the EU by 2027 .​

Looking ahead, the government targets increasing annual non-oil exports to $5 billion by 2026, focusing on expanding into markets across Eastern Europe, the EU, and the Middle East.

By Aghakazim Guliyev