Factors Contributing to Price Increases
Over the past year, sellers noted that the increase in meat prices is linked to its export to neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The rise in feed prices and increased production costs for farmers were also mentioned.Bakytbek Mamytkanov, chairman of the Association of Meat Producers of Kyrgyzstan, also points to global trends: meat prices, especially beef, are rising worldwide, as evidenced by a World Bank report.
According to him, the demand for meat from neighboring countries like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan remains high. Previously, livestock exports were carried out illegally, but now they are legalized. Kazakhstan is also experiencing a significant rise in meat prices, while in Turkey, the cost reaches 1,800 soms per kilogram when converted to Kyrgyz currency.
Mamytkanov points to another important issue: the quality of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines supplied to Kyrgyzstan is deteriorating, leading to weight loss in livestock.
“In recent months, there has been an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle, and prior to that, there was dermatitis. Over the past week, meat prices have decreased as farmers are slaughtering their livestock to prevent the spread of the disease,” he added.
According to Mamytkanov, a similar situation was observed last year, and he warns that by spring and summer, meat prices may rise. “Two years ago, we did not face such a problem. The young stock that will be born this year will not have time to grow, and existing livestock will be slaughtered by farmers fearing bankruptcy,” he explained.
As a result of rising prices, beef imports from abroad to Kyrgyzstan have increased, mainly from India, where an outbreak of the Nipah virus, which can be transmitted through livestock, is currently registered.
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According to the latest data, from January to November 2025, Kyrgyzstan imported 1,200 tons of frozen beef worth $3.9 million, of which 63% came from India.
It is important to note that the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry reported the introduction of restrictions on the import of animals from India that are susceptible to the Nipah virus, as well as on animal products.
Mamytkanov explains that the imported frozen beef is mainly used by processing enterprises to produce products such as dumplings and sausages, as this is more economically viable.
Restrictions or Support?
Mamytkanov believes that there are good conditions for the development of livestock farming and increasing meat production in Kyrgyzstan. Currently, the authorities are offering preferential loans for the purchase of livestock, allowing farmers to grow their businesses.“Thus, a farmer who receives a loan now will be able to raise livestock within a year or two, and pay back the main amount only after two years,” he clarified.
However, Mamytkanov warns that export bans on meat may negatively affect domestic production. If it is profitable for farmers to sell their products at higher prices abroad, the authorities should negotiate with them to ensure that 50% of the products are sold on the local market at reduced prices.
Work in this direction has already begun. The Kyrgyz Agroholding OJSC, under the Ministry of Water Resources and Agriculture, held a presentation of a project for mobile meat sales points at social prices, which should help stabilize the domestic market. However, the question remains whether the authorities will be able to provide farmers with quality vaccines and control meat prices this year.
Photo on the main page: EPA / TASS.
