Cooking Quantity of Beef Corresponds to Citizens' Salaries - Analysts Disclose
Affordable Traditional Dishes in Kazakhstan Compared to Other CIS Countries
Traditional dishes in Kazakhstan remain more affordable than in neighbouring countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, despite a rise in food prices. This is according to a recent study that compares the cost of preparing two popular Central Asian dishes, beshbarmak and lagman, for a family of six in various Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.
Understanding the Dishes and Ingredients
Beshbarmak, a traditional dish primarily made of boiled meat (usually horse meat, lamb, or beef), noodles, onions, and broth, and lagman, a noodle dish usually made of hand-pulled noodles, meat (beef or lamb), vegetables (bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, carrots), and spices, are both meat-heavy dishes that require fresh vegetables and flour-based noodles or pasta.
Typical Ingredients for a Family of Six
The table below shows the approximate quantities of ingredients needed for each dish:
| Ingredient | Beshbarmak | Lagman | |------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Meat | 2.5-3 kg (beef/lamb/horse) | 2-2.5 kg (beef/lamb) | | Noodles/Pasta | 500-700 g homemade or store-bought | 500 g homemade hand-pulled or store pasta | | Onions | 4-5 large | 3-4 large | | Vegetables | Minimal (primarily onions) | Bell peppers, tomatoes, carrots, onions (about 1.5-2 kg total) | | Spices & Oil | Minimal | Moderate (oil + spices for stir-frying) |
Estimated Cost of Ingredients in Various CIS countries
To give a rough estimate, the costs for ingredients in some major CIS countries are presented in the table below (in USD):
| Country | Meat (per kg) | Vegetables (per kg) | Onions (per kg) | Flour (per kg) | Oil & Spices | Est. Total Cost for Beshbarmak (USD) | Est. Total Cost for Lagman (USD) | |-----------------|---------------|--------------------|-----------------|----------------|--------------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Russia | $9 | $1.5 | $1 | $0.8 | $1.5 | $30-$35 | $25-$30 | | Kazakhstan | $8 | $1.2 | $0.8 | $0.7 | $1.2 | $28-$33 | $23-$28 | | Uzbekistan | $6 | $0.7 | $0.5 | $0.5 | $1.0 | $22-$27 | $18-$23 | | Kyrgyzstan | $7 | $1.0 | $0.8 | $0.6 | $1.0 | $24-$29 | $20-$25 | | Belarus | $7.5 | $1.3 | $0.9 | $0.7 | $1.2 | $26-$31 | $22-$27 |
Average Monthly Salary
The table below shows approximate average monthly net salaries in these countries (in USD):
| Country | Average Monthly Net Salary (USD) | |-----------------|----------------------------------| | Russia | $700-$900 | | Kazakhstan | $400-$600 | | Uzbekistan | $200-$350 | | Kyrgyzstan | $150-$300 | | Belarus | $500-$700 |
Cost as a Percentage of Monthly Salary
| Country | Beshbarmak Cost / Salary (%) | Lagman Cost / Salary (%) | |-----------------|------------------------------|---------------------------| | Russia | ~4-5% | ~3-4% | | Kazakhstan | ~5-7% | ~4-6% | | Uzbekistan | ~6-13% | ~5-10% | | Kyrgyzstan | ~8-19% | ~7-15% | | Belarus | ~4-6% | ~3-5% |
Observations and Insights
- Meat is the biggest cost factor in both dishes.
- In richer CIS countries like Russia and Belarus, the cost of preparing these meals represents a smaller fraction of average monthly income compared to lower-income countries like Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
- Lagman tends to be slightly cheaper than beshbarmak due to a mix of vegetables reducing the amount of meat needed.
- In countries with lower salaries, preparing traditional meat-based meals for a family can represent a significant part of monthly food expenses.
- The price differences also reflect local economic conditions, availability of meat, and import status of some ingredients.
Summary
| Country | Approximate Cost per Meal for 6 (USD) | % of Average Monthly Salary (Beshbarmak) | % of Average Monthly Salary (Lagman) | |-------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Russia | $30-$35 | 4-5% | 3-4% | | Kazakhstan | $28-$33 | 5-7% | 4-6% | | Uzbekistan | $22-$27 | 6-13% | 5-10% | | Kyrgyzstan | $24-$29 | 8-19% | 7-15% | | Belarus | $26-$31 | 4-6% | 3-5% |
This analysis provides valuable insights into the affordability of traditional dishes in various CIS countries, shedding light on the purchasing power of the population in each country.
- Preparing traditional dishes like beshbarmak and lagman can be a significant portion of monthly food expenses in countries with lower salaries, such as Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, where the cost of these meals can represent up to 19% and 13% respectively of the average monthly net salary.
- In contrast, in richer CIS countries like Russia and Belarus, the cost of preparing these meals is a smaller fraction of the average monthly income, accounting for 4-5% and 4-6% respectively.
- The price differences also reflect local economic conditions, availability of meat, and import status of some ingredients, making it important for those in personal-finance and business to consider these factors when budgeting for food-and-drink expenses.
- Lagman tends to be slightly cheaper than beshbarmak due to a mix of vegetables reducing the amount of meat needed, which could be a consideration for those looking to save money on their meals while still enjoying global-cuisines.
- As for the lifestyle aspect, understanding the cost of traditional dishes in various countries can help in making informed decisions about spending on food, and also in the realm of business, such as when setting prices for meals or creating recipes that cater to different budgets.
