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.
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