Recently, a video appeared on social media stating that one of the Kazakh businessmen purchased a ram [kochkor] of the Areshan breed for 1 million dollars.
A Turmush correspondent spoke with livestock breeders to find out what is driving the price increase for this breed of sheep.
According to farmers, just a year ago, transactions for selling Areshans for 10, 50, 80, or even 100 thousand dollars were rare. Such operations were conducted very discreetly, possibly "under the table." However, over the past six months, the situation has changed: there have been more cases of exchanging Areshans for expensive cars and selling them for large sums in dollars.
Sardar Bagyshbekov, a farmer who has been breeding Areshan sheep for a long time, noted that the prices for these sheep have significantly increased.
- What is the price of elite Areshan sheep today?
Social media is also discussing information that Kazakh entrepreneur Kuanish Myktybaev allegedly bought a famous Areshan named Antibiotic, a lamb from the legendary Franklin, for 1 million dollars. Some claim that 500 thousand was paid in cash, and the remaining amount was in barter, but I myself did not witness this transaction.
Kuanish Myktybaev is one of the leading sheep breeders in Kazakhstan. He notes that in his experience, there have been cases where rams were not sold even for 400 thousand dollars. This indicates that the cost of "super elite" Areshans is now around 500 thousand dollars. Last year, 1 million dollars was also offered for Franklin, and at that time, the buyers were Kyrgyz people.
- Why is there such a price increase?
Firstly, there are fewer truly quality rams on the market, while demand for them is growing. The number of buyers within the country is increasing, which leads to a nearly twofold price increase.
For example, we have been engaged in breeding for 10 years, gradually improving the breed. Wealthy buyers purchase ready elite rams and start making a profit within a year, and it is they who contribute to the price increase.
Secondly, buyers from Uzbekistan are actively entering the market, purchasing from 20 to 100 heads either through intermediaries or directly. This is due to the fact that in Uzbekistan, state support for breeding livestock is manifested in the form of subsidies, provision of pastures, tax benefits, and simplification of export procedures.
- What kind of support do we expect from the government?
Farmers need support from the government. In the context of such high prices, rumors have emerged about some farmers being called in by law enforcement agencies. As a result, many have begun to hide prices and conduct transactions confidentially.
In fact, Areshans were bred by simple shepherds, and for a long time, no one paid attention to this. We hope for comprehensive support for breeding livestock in Kyrgyzstan — in terms of pastures, exports, and other aspects.
Selling Areshans for high amounts is also beneficial for the state. With such money, a farmer will not leave for abroad — he will buy a car, build a house, open a business, and create jobs. As they say: "If the people are rich, the state becomes rich too."
- What is the situation with celebrities and officials?
Recently, some officials and celebrities have started breeding Areshans. Athletes, including Manas Niyazov, also keep this breed on their farms. The activity of well-known people in sheep breeding contributes to raising the status of the entire sector and supports ordinary livestock breeders.
A selection of videos from social media discussing transactions involving Areshan sheep
In April 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Regional Development registered a new Kyrgyz meat-fat breed of sheep "Areshan".
The differences of the Areshan breed from others:
- The Kyrgyz meat-fat breed "Areshan" was developed from 1970 to 2021 in the farms of Kyrgyzstan. When creating the breed, Gissar rams imported from Tajikistan were crossed with local coarse-wool ewes. Second-generation animals were bred "in themselves."
- This breed has excellent meat-fat qualities, a large fat tail, and high growth energy, and is well adapted to living in high mountain and valley steppes.
- The sheep have a compact body, satisfactory exterior, strong constitution, and sturdy skeleton.
- Rams and ewes are polled.
- The live weight of 7-8 month old lambs is 48–61 kg, one-year-old young stock is 60-78 kg, and adult rams weigh 109-177 kg.
- Four genealogical lines have been formed.
In total, there are 5,832 sheep of this breed in the republic. The approximate cost of a lamb is 1 thousand dollars, and for ewes, it is 5 thousand dollars.
