“Prices are still lower than in Russia and Kazakhstan”
According to Ulan Chekirbaev, head of the food security department of the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, the rise in food prices in Kyrgyzstan is due to both internal and external factors. In an interview with “Birinchi Radio,” he noted that the increase in gross domestic product and rising wages in the country also play a role.
“In recent years, both state and private companies have started to raise wages. The economy is showing dynamic growth, which leads to increased consumption. However, it is worth noting that the level of food prices and inflation in Kyrgyzstan is lower than that of our main trading partners — Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. Among the external reasons, high inflation in these countries should be noted, as well as geopolitical factors and tariff wars that have affected logistics chains, especially in the food sector. According to the National Statistical Committee, the highest price increase has affected fruits, which is related to the import of citrus fruits and bananas,” he explained.
Chekirbaev concluded that food prices in Central Asia remain quite affordable for the population compared to other regions.
“High prices can be beneficial for farmers and agricultural producers. However, there are certain groups of people who are heavily dependent on food. Kyrgyzstan is among the countries where food expenses take a significant share of citizens' incomes. In developed countries, this figure is only 5-10 percent of wages, whereas here it is significantly higher. Therefore, fluctuations in food prices become noticeable for many citizens. We understand this, but for farmers, such changes can be positive,” he added.
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