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IABA to launch the Ireland–Azerbaijan Business Survey this November
This November we’re asking Irish businesses in Azerbaijan to tell us what’s working, what’s hard and what would…
Guide
Exporting food and drink to Azerbaijan: what to know before you ship
Irish food has a good name in Baku. Here’s what our members have learned about getting it onto shelves and menus.
28 August 2026 · 2 min read
Irish butter, cheese, whiskey and seafood already turn up on menus and supermarket shelves in Baku, and every year more producers ask us about the market. We asked members who export there what they wish they had known at the start.
Start with a distributor, not a shop
Most Irish producers sell through a local importer or distributor who looks after customs, storage and the relationships with retailers and hotels. Take your time choosing one. Meet them in person, visit their warehouse and ask who else they work with.
Get the paperwork right first time
Every shipment needs the right certificates, and labels are normally expected in Azerbaijani. The rules change, so check the current requirements with your distributor and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine before the first order goes out. A delayed container of chilled goods is an expensive lesson.
Think about the route
Goods usually travel by sea to a Black Sea port such as Poti in Georgia and on to Baku by road or rail, or overland through Türkiye. Ask your freight forwarder to compare the timing as well as the price.
Hotels and restaurants open doors
Baku’s hotels and restaurants are often the first customers for a new Irish brand. A dish on a good menu builds your name long before you reach a supermarket.
Use the help that’s out there
Enterprise Ireland can help with market research and trade events, and AZPROMO, Azerbaijan’s export and investment agency, can point you towards buyers. Our members are always happy to share what worked for them, too.
Getting ready to ship your first order? Get in touch and we’ll introduce you to a member who has done it.
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