Beef affordability comparison: determining the quantity of beef that can be purchased with a salary in Kazakhstan and foreign countries
In major cities across Kazakhstan, including Ust-Kamenogorsk, Aktau, Shymkent, and Atyrau, the cost of a kilogram of beef hovers around 5,000 tenge, according to local market news. This price point reflects the fresh beef available to consumers in urban areas.
While specific consolidated data for the national average across Kazakhstan is not directly cited, the city prices of approximately 5,000 tenge/kg likely serve as a reasonable benchmark or close estimate of broader retail beef prices in the country. This is due to the absence of evidence for large regional disparity or official national averages.
Regional context reveals that neighboring countries, such as Kyrgyzstan, have implemented price interventions due to rising beef costs. The government in Kyrgyzstan, for instance, has set temporary maximum retail prices to stabilise the market. These regional price pressures suggest that Kazakhstan's beef prices might similarly be influenced.
However, as of late August 2025, beef prices in major urban markets in Kazakhstan remain at an estimated 5,000 tenge/kg.
Factors influencing the cost of beef in Kazakhstan include feed costs, transportation expenses, seasonality, overall inflation, export supplies, and their impact on domestic market availability and potential price increases.
Here's a breakdown of beef prices in various regions:
| Location | Approximate Beef Price (per kg) | Notes | |-------------------------|------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Major Kazakh cities (urban markets) | ~5,000 tenge/kg | Reported fresh beef price in city markets[3] | | North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Kostanai regions | Below the national average | Not explicitly provided in sources | | Uralsk and Aktobe | 2,800 tenge/kg | Not explicitly provided in sources |
In regional terms, the highest increase in the cost of beef was recorded in Shymkent (34.3%), Ulytau (27.6%), and Akmolinsk regions in annual terms. On the other hand, Atyau experienced the least increase in monthly terms (2.9%).
Compared to other countries, Kazakhstan ranks 63rd globally in the amount of beef that can be purchased on an average monthly salary, with 78 kg. Qatar tops the list, with an average citizen able to purchase 348.2 kg of beef on their monthly salary (highest in the world).
It's important to note that there is a significant difference in the cost of beef between expensive and affordable regions in Kazakhstan. For instance, in Almaty, prices remained at the previous month's level, while in Shymkent, the price of beef increased the most in monthly terms (9.6%).
In conclusion, while the cost of beef in Kazakhstan's major cities is estimated to be around 5,000 tenge/kg, there are regional variations. Understanding these factors can help consumers make informed decisions about their grocery spending.
- In the realm of personal-finance, knowledge about the cost of goods like beef, such as the 5,000 tenge/kg average in major cities of Kazakhstan, is crucial for consumers to make informed decisions about their grocery spending.
- The investing world, particularly in real-estate, might find it intriguing that certain regions in Kazakhstan have beef prices below the national average, indicating potential differences in economic factors affecting those areas.
- For businesses involved in the finance and agriculture sectors, understanding the regional patterns of beef prices in Kazakhstan, like the 2,800 tenge/kg in Uralsk and Aktobe, could provide valuable insights for investment strategies.
