The prices for meat and meat products in Central Asia continue to rise, and experts attribute this to a multitude of factors, including serious issues in livestock farming and insufficient government management. Analyzing the situation in the markets, Azattyk Asia examines how authorities are responding to the price increase and what measures can be taken to stabilize them (without artificial price controls). Additional details can be found in the article by Azattyk Asia.
Meat is a key component of traditional Central Asian cuisine. It is hard to imagine dishes like plov, beshbarmak, manti, or samsa without it. However, for many residents of the region, purchasing meat is becoming unaffordable.
In Kazakhstan, over the past few months, the price of bone-in beef has increased by almost 20%. In the summer, in Almaty, a kilogram of meat cost 3,800 tenge (about $7), and now the price has reached 4,500 tenge (approximately $8.5). A year ago, a kilogram cost 3,200 tenge.
“FEEDING AND WATER PROBLEMS”
“There are fewer buyers, and people are running out of money,” shares a seller at the Almaty meat market.
According to him, the price increase is due to rising wholesale prices:
“Feed is expensive, and there is not enough water. Therefore, we buy at high prices from wholesalers.”
The situation is complicated by inflation, which reached 12.6% year-on-year in October, as well as the anticipated tax increases, which also affect the rental of trading places. All of this impacts the final cost for consumers.
Farmers believe that the price increase is a normal market reaction. Zhanibek Kenzhebaev from the Kostanay region states that official data on cattle population does not reflect the real situation — according to his estimates, there are fewer than 6 million in the country. In recent years, farmers have been forced to reduce their herds.
“Livestock farming has become unprofitable due to the high cost of feed, fuel, and veterinary services,” he notes.
Makhsut Baktybaev, head of the “Meat Union of Kazakhstan,” also speaks about the reduction in livestock numbers, which leads to a market shortage. Farmers are selling cattle below cost, and many are closing down, resulting in a decrease in the number of small businesses in this sector.
In his opinion, the real reason for the price increase lies in insufficient government management. Kazakhstan, being the ninth largest country by area, faces a shortage of pastures, as much land is privately owned and not utilized.
“We could become one of the largest beef producers, but for that, stable government policy is needed,” concludes Baktybaev.
The Ministry of Agriculture disagrees with the experts' assessments and claims that the price increase is due to rising feed and transportation costs. Additionally, high demand for the export of live cattle also affects domestic prices.
According to a government statement, meat production in Kazakhstan increased by 1.5% in the first half of 2025, reaching 529,000 tons, which they believe fully covers domestic demand.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Aydarbek Saparov, also noted that he does not expect price increases before the holidays, stating that the average price of a kilogram of meat is about 3,249 tenge (just over $6).
STATE PRICE REGULATION: IS IT EFFECTIVE?
The rise in meat prices is also observed in other Central Asian countries.
In Kyrgyzstan, for example, authorities have introduced state price regulation, setting a ceiling on beef prices at 680 soms per kilogram (about $7.8) to stabilize the market.
Economist Iskender Sharshiev believes that price controls are not the best way to solve the problem. He emphasizes the need to create high-quality production.
Despite government measures, beef prices in the republic have not decreased. In Bishkek, bone-in meat is sold for 720–730 soms per kilogram.
The Kyrgyz Cabinet notes that the price increase is due to rising production costs and exports to neighboring countries. In response, the country has banned the export of large and small cattle to ensure its food security.
A group of officials suspected of corruption related to the export of cattle to Uzbekistan has also been detained in the country.
SITUATION IN UZBEKISTAN AND TAJIKISTAN
Uzbekistan is facing rising meat prices due to the increased cost of imports, as Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have restricted their exports. In Tashkent, the price of boneless beef has reached 165,000 soums ($14), while bone-in meat costs 155,000 soums ($12).
Inflation has also impacted the situation, as beef prices rose by 25.2% in September. Internal problems for farmers, such as a lack of pastures and desertification, worsen the situation.
In Tajikistan, where dependence on imports is high, meat prices have sharply increased, and many residents cannot afford it. The minimum wage is about $100 per month, while beef is sold for 105 somoni ($11.4) per kilogram.
Recently, the government allowed the import of live cattle from Afghanistan, hoping to reduce meat prices. However, direct meat imports from this country remain banned due to a lack of veterinary control.
Additionally, Mongolia has expressed readiness to increase meat supplies to Tajikistan, but this has not yet been realized.
MEAT SHORTAGE IN TURKMENISTAN
In Turkmenistan, there is not only a rise in prices but also a meat shortage. In private shops in Ashgabat, the price per kilogram reached 155 manats ($44.2 at the official exchange rate). In state shops, where prices are lower, queues for frozen meat start at 5 AM.
However, the authorities do not acknowledge a severe food shortage, although social media reports empty shelves and low-quality goods.
Livestock farmers also report financial difficulties caused by rising feed prices and outbreaks of diseases among livestock.
DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS
Experts believe that short-term measures, such as price regulation, do not address the root of the problem. Central Asian states need a comprehensive strategy for livestock development and cooperation for joint actions.
Makhsut Baktybaev from Kazakhstan emphasizes that to stabilize meat prices, production must be increased by providing farmers with access to land and financing.
In Uzbekistan, measures to support livestock farming have already begun, including simplifying meat imports and reducing the time required to obtain permits.
Toleutai Rakhimbekov, an agricultural expert, believes that uniting farmers into cooperatives will help reduce costs and increase production efficiency.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has developed ambitious programs to increase agricultural production, but so far the results leave much to be desired.
