As sellers commented to Turmush, the number of customers this week has increased several times compared to weekdays. The main demand is for the preparation of traditional portioned cuts — "ustukans" — for receiving guests.
Interestingly, against the backdrop of rumors about diseases among cattle, many city residents are opting for lamb and horse meat this year.
Current prices in the markets of Karakol
| Type of product | Price per 1 kg / unit |
| Beef | 680 – 720 soms |
| Horse meat | 620 – 630 soms |
| Lamb | 680 – 690 soms |
| Chuchuk (delicacy) | 1000 soms |
| Kazy, karta | 580 – 620 soms |
| Whole lamb carcass | from 16,000 to 30,000 soms |
Sellers say that prices for lamb remain stable and correspond to the state-established norms (680 soms). However, the cost of selected meat has increased by 10 soms over the past 4–5 days due to a reduction in the number of fattened livestock — some animals have already been sent to summer pastures.
The city veterinary and livestock development department assures that the epidemiological situation is stable. Each carcass that reaches the market undergoes strict inspection. "A specialized laboratory operates at the market. All products undergo veterinary and sanitary examination. For example, in February, 777 cattle carcasses and 210 horse carcasses were put up for sale. In the event of detecting parasitic diseases such as alveococcosis or echinococcosis in the organs, the infected parts are immediately removed and disposed of in special animal burial sites. Sale is permitted only with a veterinary stamp," said the head of the service, Tilek Ishembayev.
At the same time, planned veterinary activities are being conducted in the city before livestock is sent to the summer pastures. Currently, vaccinations have been carried out on:
- 978 heads — against emphysematous carbuncle ("kara san");
- 970 heads — against pasteurellosis;
- 1940 heads — against foot-and-mouth disease.
Additionally, blood samples have been taken from 120 heads of livestock for laboratory tests. Preventive work continues.
