Kazakh beef reportedly sold to Uzbekistan at $3 per kilogram

Kazakhstan has released its customs statistics for 2025, indicating that one kilogram of beef was sold to Uzbekistan at an average price of around $3. This was reported by Cmn.kz.

According to the data, in 2025 Uzbekistan purchased 66,100 tonnes of beef and beef by-products from Kazakhstan for a total of $189.9 million. This amounts to an average price of $2.87 per kilogram. At the same time, retail prices for beef on Kazakhstan’s domestic market rose by more than 30 percent during the same period, reaching 4,000–4,500 tenge per kilogram.

Commenting on the figures, Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Zhanel Kushukova described the data as questionable. Addressing the price discrepancy, she suggested that the figures could be the result of a technical error.

“Meat is not sold state-to-state, but by specific producers under contractual agreements. If domestic prices are several times higher, it would be economically unprofitable for producers to export meat at $3 per kilogram,” she said.

According to the deputy minister, the situation requires a separate review.

“These figures need to be carefully examined, including clarification from customs authorities, as the possibility of a technical error cannot be ruled out,” Kushukova added.

At the same time, the Ministry of Trade acknowledged that beef prices in Kazakhstan continue to rise, causing concern among the population. Kushukova noted that the main reasons for the price increase are the time required to restore livestock numbers and the sharp rise in demand from Uzbekistan.

She explained that in recent years, meat consumption in Uzbekistan has increased significantly, while natural and geographical constraints have prevented the country from expanding domestic production at the same pace.