Loans at discounted rates provided to major food producers in Almaty
Revamped Report on Almaty's Food Price Stability Measures
Scribbled down by Ayanraki Narikbaeva for Almaty TV
The city's food landscape has experienced a shift with major players snagging preferential loans to bolster working capital and procure raw materials. This dough is meant to keep food prices from soaring, but will it work? And what else does the city council carpet bomb to keep those pesky price hikes at bay?
In a whirlwind of spring 2020, a cool 7 billion tenge was dished out from the city kitty into the food stabilization piggy bank. This banking expedition created a robust food reserve, ready to meet the city's insatiable demand during an emergency. By pulling this reserve out, the authorities can steamroll any hasty hikes in the prices of essential goods wrought by sneaky speculators.
A handshake agreement with bigwig retail chains has them swearing to sell essential products at fixed prices, too.
There's a list of 19 foods that the bigwigs consider socially significant. Out of this bunch, they've fixed the prices for 14 items at supermarkets, ensuring that a kilo of buckwheat won't crack you open for more than 361 tenge.
Meanwhile, agricultural producers and distributors have been receiving preferential loans, which they graciously use to buy raw materials. To keep shady intermediaries at bay, the city council has set up a direct link from producers to stores and bakeries, like the Akzhay bakery, which followers claim covers nearly 70% of the city's demand for cheap bread.
But there's a catch. Corner stores, mini-markets, and flea markets paint a diverse picture when it comes to pricing. Bargain hunters might find better deals at some locations while being drained dry at others.
What's this world coming to, you wonder? Fret not! National experts say food prices are set to remain stable, giving consumers hope. Loaves of bread cost a mere 85 tenge, while a kilo of potatoes sells for just 89 tenge on average.
Now, I hear you asking, what about those products that cost a hefty 800 tenge per liter when they used to set you back 300 tenge? Are they socially acceptable, or just a random whack?
But alas, I'm just a humble scribe here, and I can't claim to know it all. What I can tell you is that meat products are pricier than a night on the town, while veggies like potatoes, cabbage, and carrots are fairly priced. Tomatoes and cucumbers seem to be raking in the dough.
So, while the city council's up to something, there's still quite a price range at play, especially at the city's numerous corner stores and mini-markets. Keep your eyes peeled, fellow citizens!
Flash:1. You know, that thing that was 300 tenge, now 800 tenge, is it legit? Is it socially significant?2. I can't speak for its legality, but it does seem a bit pricey.1. Well, meat's steep, and veggies, I reckon, are fair. For instance, potatoes, cabbage, carrots- they're fine. Tomatoes and cucumbers, though, they seem overpriced.
Don't forget to catch me on Almaty TV for more insightful stories from the city streets. Bye-bye, and remember to vote with your wallet!
Ayanrafi Narikbaeva, Sagen the Scribe, Almaty TV
Bonus Insights:- The city's efforts to combat price increases are part of broader economic strategies in Kazakhstan, involving restrictive monetary policies, price caps, increased inspections, and interventions.- The government's focus on investment projects in agribusiness and logistics may also serve to stabilize food supply chains.- While the role and success of preferential loans in price stabilization is unclear, they could be part of a broader approach to support producers and mitigate price spikes.
- Given the rising prices for certain products from 300 tenge to 800 tenge, it's questionable if they are socially legitimate.
- While the prices of some vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, and carrots remain fair, meat products are steep, and without further information, it's hard to definitively answer the legality of the overpriced items, such as tomatoes and cucumbers.
