Vice Minister announced the average price for beef in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz — Will this year's drought affect fodder procurement and lead to a hike in beef prices? Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov addressed these concerns.
During a government briefing, journalists pointed out to the Vice Minister that several regions experienced hot and arid weather this year. Sultanov was asked whether this would cause livestock feed shortages and if a subsequent rise in the cost of beef should be expected.
The official stated that at the beginning of each year, the ministry drafts a fodder procurement plan for the upcoming season, taking into account projected yields and the condition of pastures and hayfields. According to him, weather conditions have indeed impacted yields in several regions this year.

"Yields are lower in the Karaganda, Pavlodar, and East Kazakhstan regions. At the same time, the western regions—Aktobe and West Kazakhstan—are seeing good harvests," the Vice Minister said.

Sultanov reported that the fodder procurement plan is currently 80 percent complete. As the season continues, the procurement of silage, haylage, and straw is still ahead. The Ministry of Agriculture expects the plan to be fully executed by the end of the season.

"We believe—and the regions confirm this—that the plan will be 100 percent fulfilled. Therefore, we do not project any cases where individual regions will face feed shortages," he stated.

The Vice Minister was also questioned regarding the cost of beef; according to a journalist, it is already being sold for 4,500 tenge per kilogram in some locations.
The official disputed the claim that beef has become unaffordable. According to him, the average price across the republic is around 3,800 tenge per kilogram. In Astana, Sultanov noted that beef costs about 3,950 tenge at the Shapagat market, and approximately 4,200 tenge at the Artem and Sauran markets. Prices in retail stores may be higher depending on the cut.
As a reminder: in August, Minister of Trade Arman Shakkaliyev explained that the rise in meat prices in Kazakhstan is partly driven by high domestic and export demand. At that time, the ministry noted there had been no sharp price spikes or product shortages.