Food prices in Kazakhstan decline for second consecutive month

Tengrinews.kz — Food prices in Kazakhstan have declined for the second consecutive month. This was reported at a government meeting chaired by Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, according to 24.kz.

According to the Ministry of Trade, socially important food products are making a significant contribution to the slowdown in price growth. Since the beginning of the year, prices for these goods have risen by around 2 percent. For comparison, during the same period last year, the increase was 8 percent. This means price growth has slowed almost fivefold.

Over the past week, sugar fell the most in price — by 2.4 percent, followed by onions at 1.7 percent, and apples and carrots at 0.9 percent. Prices for rice and lamb also declined. The cost of bread, pasta, butter, salt and tea remained unchanged.

With the arrival of colder weather, some vegetables are becoming more expensive, including cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes and potatoes. To curb price increases for greenhouse vegetables this coming winter and spring, the authorities plan to sign a memorandum with producers.