“During the past week, prices have decreased for 10 types of goods: cabbage (down by 9.7%), onions (1.3%), buckwheat (1.1%), chicken meat (0.6%), rice and sunflower oil (both down by 0.4%), and horns (0.2%). Additionally, prices for sugar, cottage cheese, and flour decreased by 0.1% each,” noted First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aizhan Bizhanova. She further highlighted that the overall price index for essential food products in Kazakhstan decreased by 0.1% during this period, with declines observed in 11 regions, notably significant in Almaty, Pavlodar, East Kazakhstan, and West Kazakhstan. Prices for butter, beef, salt, and eggs remained stable.
In agricultural developments, Vice Minister of Agriculture Erbol Taszhurekov reported the onset of early harvests in southern regions. Projections indicate an expected harvest of 219 thousand tons of early potatoes, 105 thousand tons of cabbage, 32 thousand tons of carrots, and 66 thousand tons of onions. This surplus is anticipated to meet consumer demands throughout June and July.
“To facilitate direct supply chains from producers to major cities, a comprehensive list of agricultural enterprises has been compiled across several regions,” Taszhurekov stated. “More than 900 enterprises have been identified, with all relevant data forwarded to the city administrations of Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent to finalize agreements for vegetable supplies.”
Following the session, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin instructed local administrations (akimats) to intensify efforts in contracting early and autumn vegetable supplies to sustain availability during the upcoming off-season.
