Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Zhamin Akimaliev supports the initiatives of Deputy Prime Minister Kamchybek Tashiev regarding the responsibility of officials for controlling meat prices. The scientist emphasizes that retail prices for this important product are indeed inflated, and some officials are not taking the necessary measures to ensure compliance with state price regulation.
According to Akimaliev, the republic is capable of meeting the population's needs for meat by 80% or more, which is the best result in all years of independence and indicates high food security.
He believes that the inflation of retail prices is due to the interference of unscrupulous intermediaries. This phenomenon can be characterized as speculation, which devalues the labor of livestock breeders and profits at the expense of ordinary people. Such actions contribute to inflation and harm the state.
Akimaliev believes that strict measures against resellers need to be implemented. Even if meat production is increased, without eliminating speculators, the price is unlikely to drop below 900 soms per kilogram. This is absolutely unacceptable!
According to market rules, the wholesale price of meat from farms is 450-500 soms, and the markup should not exceed 15%. Thus, if intermediaries are removed, it is easy to calculate how much meat should cost in stores. The fight against such speculators should be active, up to criminal liability, as they are not entrepreneurs but true speculators, and such business is unacceptable.
Currently, there is state regulation of meat prices in Kyrgyzstan, and a special regime has been established. However, Akimaliev questions whether there are trading points where this regulation is observed. Local leaders do not respond to the situation. Where are the mayors, akims, and representatives in the regions? All state bodies must participate in restoring order in the market, and officials' negligence or possible collusion with speculators must be held accountable," concluded Zhamin Akimaliev.
