Local residents express dissatisfaction with the high prices of meat, which sometimes reach 700 soms. "Meat has become too expensive, and many residents refuse to buy it. It would be nice if prices were lowered and controlled," shares her opinion Salkyn Orozalieva, a local resident.
Ludmila Sedova added that pensioners cannot afford to buy meat and are ultimately forced to purchase only bones, which cost 60 soms per kilogram. However, bones are not always available for sale.
Azmat Solpuyev notes that the high cost of meat makes it difficult for not only pensioners but also the majority of state employees to make purchases.
The services responsible for price regulation listened to the opinions and problems of both sellers and residents. They reported that the temporary state regulation of meat prices in Kyrgyzstan has been extended until December 31, 2025.
"We are conducting explanatory activities with meat sellers in Karakol in cooperation with local authorities and the Antimonopoly Regulation Service. After the 90-day regulation period, the price of meat increased by 20-30 soms. Although the regulation was supposed to end on November 10, its term has been extended until the end of the year. We inform sellers that the price should not exceed the established limit. We also listened to the sellers' opinions and will pass them up," noted Mukhtar Kasenov, acting head of the Issyk-Kul regional department of the Antimonopoly Regulation Service.
According to established norms, beef in Karakol should be sold at a price no higher than 650 soms, and lamb no higher than 680 soms. However, sellers claim that the shortage of livestock for slaughter leads to increased meat prices. "Sometimes we buy a kilogram of meat from butchers for 650 soms, and selling it at the same price, we cannot cover our expenses," they explain.
"When we purchase a carcass, we end up with about 5 kilograms of bones and 8-15 kilograms of internal fat, which are also considered meat and sold for 650 soms. To cover our costs, we are forced to raise prices," the sellers add.
"Currently, livestock is being exported to Uzbekistan, which exacerbates the shortage in the local market. If the export of livestock is stopped, prices will stabilize. I myself buy a kilogram of meat with kidney fat for 650 soms because they come together," comments seller K. Zakiraeva.
Sellers also point to the rising prices of animal feed as one of the reasons for the increase in meat prices, agreeing that the high cost of livestock is a key factor.
In Karakol, beef prices range from 650 to 720 soms, while lamb costs from 680 soms. Sellers clarified that 720 soms is the price for pure meat without bones, which amounts to only 5-10 kilograms from one carcass.
