Every week, we track the prices of the same products in a supermarket in Bishkek. The calculations for the grocery basket, designed for a family of four, are based on consumer norms established by the government of Kyrgyzstan in 2009. The basket includes basic products such as bread, meat, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar, milk, vegetable oil, eggs, fish, and tea. These data are indicative and do not take into account individual consumer preferences.
Since the beginning of our monitoring in October 2018, the price of the grocery basket has more than doubled — by 3,629 soms, reaching 6,742 soms.
Since the beginning of 2025, the cost of the basket has increased by 686 soms, and compared to the end of 2024, it has risen by 559 soms.
The most noticeable price increases have been observed for meat (+101 soms), peppers (+81 soms), and apples (+20 soms). At the same time, some products have become cheaper: cucumbers (-129 soms), rice (-30 soms), eggs (-10 soms), and tomatoes (-10 soms). However, these decreases do not offset the overall trend of rising prices.
It is noteworthy that by the end of 2025, the price of milk and fish remained unchanged, staying at the same level for the second consecutive year.
Price Dynamics of the Grocery Basket
The cost of the grocery basket changed unevenly throughout the year, starting at around 6,000 soms and experiencing several periods of growth and decline. The most pronounced increases occurred in spring and autumn-winter, while a temporary decrease in prices was observed in summer.
The minimum price was recorded on October 18, 2025 — at that time, the basket cost 5,791 soms. Meanwhile, the maximum price was reached on December 6, 2025, amounting to 6,927 soms.
As for the population's income
As in 2024, the growth of salaries outpaced the increase in the cost of the grocery basket. The average salary in Kyrgyzstan increased by approximately 19%, amounting to 42,919 soms. The minimum subsistence level also increased, though less noticeably — by 11% (to 8,758 soms). Thus, despite inflation, the real purchasing power of citizens has improved, although overall expenses for the population of the country have slightly increased. The most significant challenge for family budgets has been the rising prices of meat products and vegetables, which traditionally hold an important place in the diet of many families.
