Sugar confectionery market to grow 4% in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s strong preference for unpackaged versions of sugar confections since Soviet times has continued in 2016. These include sold-by-weight caramels, boiled sweets, chews and jellies from both local and multinational manufacturers, and specific traditional sugar confectionery products, says Euromonitor. 

Domestic production mainly came from Bolluq and Bismak Senayi Kompleksi. More than a 50% share of sugar confectionery sold in the country is imported from Ukraine (10,304 tonnes in 2014). The leading brands from Ukraine include Konti and Roshen. Key Russian brands in Azerbaijan are Udarnitsa, Sharmel and Krasny Oktyabr, Rot Front, Nestlé Azerbaijan, Mars and Ferrero Russia (brand Raffaello). 

Some 100 tonnes of lollipops, mints and pastilles are imported annually from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and Germany. Seventy percent of boiled sweets are imported from Ukraine; however, starting in April 2016, Russia has been taking action against exports of Ukrainian sweets to Georgia and Azerbaijan (through Georgia). Also, the brands Haribo, Tic Tac (Ferrero) and Hazerbaba from Turkey are increasingly accounting for a larger share of sales.

United Brands Distribution led sugar confectionery in 2016 with a 20% value share. The company officially distributes the top sugar confectionery brands from GBO Perfetti Van Melle Group, such as Chupa Chups. Fruit-tella and Mentos, and also the brands of GBO Mendelez International. In addition, for the last few years of the review period, the brand Sulá from GBO Perfetti Van Melle Group, imported by NBO United Brands Distribution, has increased in popularity. 

Sales are expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% at constant 2016 prices over the forecast period (2016 to 2021). Other sugar confectionery is set to record a strong performance over the forecast period, which will be due to an expected increase in the number of brands with health and wellness positioning. Boiled sweets is set to continue to be the largest category in both value and volume terms over the forecast period.

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Chocolate takes up lion's share of confectionery market in Azerbaijan

Accounting for a 50% value share of confectionery in Azerbaijan, chocolate confectionery is a very saturated category and is represented by chocolate pouches and bags, boxed assortments, chocolate with toys for children, countlines*, seasonal chocolate and tablets says Euromonitor in its Confectionery in Azerbaijan report. 

After local currency devaluations in 2015, disposable incomes in Azerbaijan shrank, pushing consumers to cheaper brands. Nur is currently the leading company, accounting for a 14% value share in 2016. Nur is the official distributor of the brands of Mondelez International, such as Alpen Gold, Vozdushny, Milka, Toblerone, Twist and others. 

Nestlé Azerbaijan, representing the brands Nestlé, Kit Kat, Nesquik, Nuts and others, accounted for a 12% value share of chocolate confectionery in 2016. The tablets and countlines distributed by these companies are highly popular among consumers due to their wide variety, extensive promotions and advertising through media resources, availability and good positioning.

The main consumers of chocolate in Azerbaijan, particularly chocolate with toys, countlines and tablets, remained children and young people. Older people traditionally prefer chocolate pouches and bags. Over the forecast period (2016 to 2021), local production of chocolate confectionery is expected to grow, which will drive prices down slightly and result in stronger competition. New flavours and packaging are expected to be introduced over the forecast period.

*Packaged candy packed in boxes that is displayed within the box, but purchased individually.

Milk-Pro is the dairy king in Azerbaijan

Milk-Pro tops every dairy category in Azerbaijan in 2016, says research firm Euromonitor. The company had 13% of value sales for cheese, 21% of the value share for its milk brand Sevimli Dad, and 17% value share for traditional sour milk products such as ayran and dovga.

The trend towards savoury milk flavours continued in Azerbaijan in 2016. Key local players expanded their ranges in order to become more competitive. Consumers demanded natural/organic ingredients, low fat/fat-free, nutrition and protein-rich milk products, as well as full-fat milk drinks.

Euromonitor forecasts that the milk market will grow through to 2021 and become increasingly saturated with brands labelled as non/reduced-fat, nutritive, organic/natural and others, in response to the spread of the health and wellness trend in Azerbaijan.

Consumption of yoghurt and sour milk products remains stable as well due to the same health and wellness trends and the strong belief that these products extend life. Over the forecast period (2016 to 2021) the demand will shift from unpackaged to packaged yoghurt and sour milk products, Euromonitor said. leading to volume growth. Competition is also expected to intensify, which could further diversify the market.

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ISESCO, International Turkic Academy sign MoU

Source: ISESCO.

A Memorandum of Understanding was co-signed between the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the International Turkic Academy in Baku, Azerbaijan, alongside the plenary session of ISESCO 12th General Conference.


The MoU was co-signed for ISESCO by its Director General, Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, and for the International Turkic University by its President, Dr Darkhan Kydyrali. It provides for cooperation to drive progress in the areas of education, science, culture and communication, promote mutual understanding between peoples, contribute to peace and security, stimulate research in areas of common interest, and ramp up support for national and regional efforts toward sustainable development goals.