The Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan held a meeting on food security issues

A meeting chaired by Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov was held with the participation of deputy akims of regions, heads of профиль departments, representatives of financial institutions, as well as committees and departments of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The main focus of the meeting was on ensuring food security and stabilizing prices for socially significant food products.

As noted by the minister, ensuring access to affordable food remains a priority. According to him, rising inflation, including higher food prices, directly affects market stability. Despite positive dynamics in the agricultural sector, systemic issues persist, requiring additional measures to stabilize prices and ensure a steady supply to the domestic market.

A set of regulatory measures is currently being implemented. These include the formation of reserves of socially significant products in stabilization funds, the use of a revolving scheme in retail chains, the expansion of the list of socially significant food products from 19 to 31 items, and control of trade margins at no more than 15%. However, price pressure in the market remains.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov reported that food products account for more than 40% of the consumer basket and remain a key driver of inflation.

At the end of the first quarter of 2026, annual inflation stood at 11%, with food prices increasing by 11.7% and socially significant products by 5.4%. The highest deviations from the national average were recorded in 12 regions, including Ulytau region (9.7%), Mangystau (8.7%), Aktobe (7.7%), and Zhambyl (7.2%).

At the same time, most products are produced in sufficient volumes, indicating imbalances in the production, storage, and distribution chain.

To stabilize prices, regions allocated 42.5 billion tenge to stabilization funds and 78.2 billion tenge to the revolving scheme. In the off-season period, reserves totaling 247 thousand tons were formed, including potatoes, onions, cabbage, and carrots. At the same time, cases of untimely interventions were noted, reducing the effectiveness of these measures.

In January–February 2026, food production totaled 665 billion tenge, with a physical volume index of 111.9% against a planned 104.3%. However, several regions, including West Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, Mangystau, Ulytau, and Almaty, did not meet their targets.

During the meeting, reports were heard from regions with the highest price increases.

Following the meeting, the minister instructed regional authorities to take additional measures as soon as possible to stabilize prices and increase production.

Priority areas include timely contracting of vegetable products, agreements with southern regions for the supply of early vegetables, efficient use of stabilization funds, and replenishment of reserves.

As emphasized by Aidarbek Saparov, food security and price stability remain under close government control, requiring coordinated efforts at all levels.