Azerbaijan’s tobacco imports edge up as exports surge in early 2026

Azerbaijan imported tobacco and its industrial substitutes worth $20.498m in January–February 2026, marking a slight increase compared with the same period last year, according to official data.

Figures released by the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan show that imports rose by 0.7% year-on-year, indicating relatively stable demand despite broader shifts in the country’s external trade dynamics.

At the same time, Azerbaijan’s exports of tobacco and its industrial substitutes reached $7.803m over the two-month period. This represents a sharp increase of 56.8% compared with the corresponding period in 2025, suggesting a notable expansion in outbound trade for this category.

In terms of overall trade composition, tobacco imports accounted for 0.79% of Azerbaijan’s total imports, while exports of these products made up 0.21% of total exports.

The data comes amid a broader contraction in Azerbaijan’s foreign trade turnover. In January–February 2026, the country’s total trade with foreign partners amounted to $6.264bn, down 29.65% year-on-year.

Of this total, exports stood at $3.665bn, while imports reached $2.599bn. Over the past year, exports declined by 23.1%, while imports saw a steeper drop of 37.2%.

The contrasting trends – modest growth in tobacco imports and a significant rise in exports alongside an overall decline in trade volumes – highlight shifting sectoral dynamics within Azerbaijan’s external trade structure.