Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov commented on the situation with meat prices on the domestic market of Kazakhstan and the prospects for their further growth. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the vice minister, the ministry previously took measures to stabilize prices — restrictions on the export of breeding stock and quotas for meat exports to external markets.
"There is an effect, accordingly, first — to stabilize prices, and second — we see that there is even some price reduction," Sultanov noted.
When asked about possible further price increases, the vice minister assured that no rise is planned.
"The price on the domestic market for this socially significant product will be stable. We do not see an increase, at least my assumptions — if necessary, we will promptly take measures," he said.
Answering a question about whether meat is becoming an inaccessible product for Kazakhstani citizens, Sultanov explained that the ministry has to consider production costs and risks for agricultural producers.
"Why do we have growth for some types of meat? Because we are entering the so-called inter-seasonal period for feed, when farmers feel the impact of domestic prices for feed resources — wheat, barley — and all this affects the cost of production," the vice minister explained.
Meanwhile, meat and poultry prices rose by 17.6% over the year and made the most significant contribution to inflation among food products. Lamb, beef, and minced meat also remain leaders in price growth among socially significant products.