This November, IABA will launch the first Ireland–Azerbaijan Business Survey. It’s a short online questionnaire for Irish companies that already work in Azerbaijan, or have tried to, and it takes about ten minutes to complete.
We hear plenty of stories at our events: the contract that took a year to sign, the partner who opened every door, the shipment that sat in customs for a month. The survey is our chance to turn those stories into something more useful: a clear picture of what Irish businesses need, which we can share with members and with policymakers in both countries.
What we’ll ask
- Which sectors you work in, and how long you’ve been active in Azerbaijan
- What has helped you most, and what has held you back
- Where you see the best opportunities over the next few years
- What kind of support you would like from IABA
What happens to the results
All answers are anonymous. We’ll publish a summary report early in 2027 and present the findings at a members’ event in Dublin. Everyone who takes part will get the report first.
“We want this to be practical,” says Declan Moran, IABA Chair. “If ten companies keep running into the same problem, that’s something we can raise on their behalf.”
The survey link will go out by email and on this website in November. If you’d like a reminder, sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.
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.
Every month someone asks us the same question: where do I start? There’s no single answer, but after many conversations with members who have done it, the same pieces of advice keep coming up.
Go and visit
Relationships matter a great deal in Azerbaijani business, and they’re built face to face. Plan at least one trip before you expect anything to happen, and try to go back more than once.
Find a good local partner
A trusted partner, adviser or distributor on the ground can save you months. Ask other members for introductions. That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Be patient
Things can move slowly at the start, then very quickly once trust is in place. Build that into your plans and your budget.
Mind the clock and the calendar
Baku is three hours ahead of Dublin in summer and four hours ahead in winter. Novruz, the spring holiday in March, is a big occasion, so don’t plan your launch for that week.
Think about language
Azerbaijani is the official language, and Russian is still widely used in business. English is more and more common, especially among younger professionals, but a good interpreter for important meetings and documents is money well spent.
Get proper advice
For anything involving tax, contracts or regulations, talk to a qualified adviser and check the latest official guidance. Rules change, and what was true for a member five years ago may not be true today.
If you’re thinking about the market and would like to talk to someone who has been there, get in touch. We’ll happily put you in contact with the right member.