Meat prices in Central Asia: Where is it the most expensive?

The price data was sourced from the official websites of the national statistical agencies of the respective countries, based on their monthly and weekly reports. The analysis considered average prices across the countries, including major cities and capitals. Prices were converted to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate of each national currency.

Beef prices

As of February 2025, the highest average beef price was recorded in Kyrgyzstan at $7.4 per kilogram. In Uzbekistan, beef was priced at $7.1/kg, in Russia at $6.6/kg, and in Kazakhstan at $5.7/kg.

When analyzing food prices, it is crucial to consider not only the current prices but also their rate of increase. This helps assess how rapidly prices are rising (or falling) and whether there are significant surges in costs.

For example, in the first two months of 2025, beef prices increased by 6.2% in Kazakhstan, 4% in Kyrgyzstan, 3.7% in Uzbekistan, and 3.4% in Russia.

In February alone, the rate of price growth accelerated across Central Asian countries: 4.2% in Kazakhstan, 3.5% in Kyrgyzstan, and 3.1% in Uzbekistan.

Among the major cities analyzed, the highest beef prices were recorded in:

• Moscow – $8.3/kg
• Bishkek – $7.7/kg
• Dushanbe – $7.3/kg
• St. Petersburg – $7.2/kg
• Tashkent – $6.8/kg

Lamb prices

Among the countries analyzed, the highest lamb prices were observed in Russia ($8.8/kg), followed by Uzbekistan ($7.4/kg), Kyrgyzstan ($7/kg), and Kazakhstan ($5.8/kg).

Since the beginning of the year, the average lamb price has increased by:

• 4.1% in Kyrgyzstan
• 3.4% in Uzbekistan
• 2% in Kazakhstan
• 0.4% in Russia

The highest monthly price increase in February was recorded in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan (3%), followed by Kazakhstan (2.1%) and Russia (0.9%).

Among the capitals and major cities, the highest lamb prices were recorded in:

• Moscow – $11.7/kg
• St. Petersburg – $10.5/kg
• Tashkent – $8.1/kg
• Dushanbe – $7.5/kg
• Bishkek – $6.7/kg

The lowest lamb prices in the region were in Kazakhstan, where it cost $6.5/kg in Almaty and $6.3/kg in Astana.

Chicken prices

In February 2025, the average chicken price in Kyrgyzstan was $4.2/kg, compared to $3/kg in Kazakhstan and $2.4/kg in Uzbekistan and Russia.

Since the beginning of the year, Russia has seen the steepest increase in chicken prices at 9.7%, while prices in Kazakhstan rose by 4.7%. In contrast, chicken prices remained unchanged in Kyrgyzstan and even declined by 0.5% in Uzbekistan.

The highest monthly price increase in February was recorded in Russia (7.4%), followed by Kazakhstan (4.4%) and Uzbekistan (0.3%), while in Kyrgyzstan, chicken prices fell by 0.8%.

Among major cities, the most expensive chicken was recorded in:

• Bishkek – $4.1/kg
• Astana – $3.4/kg
• Almaty – $3.2/kg
• Tashkent – $3.1/kg
• Moscow and St. Petersburg had the lowest prices at $2.6/kg.

Global food price increases

It is important to note that global food price inflation is affecting local markets. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global Food Price Index rose by 1.6% in February, indicating a continued increase in the cost of essential food products.

The FAO Meat Price Index averaged 118.0 points, which is 4.8% higher than last year. The primary reason for this increase is the rising cost of beef, driven by strong global demand.