Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Export restrictions on meat products imposed by neighboring countries have driven up meat prices in Uzbekistan, according to the Central Bank’s monetary policy report for the first quarter of 2025.

Last autumn, Kazakhstan introduced a six-month ban on the export of breeding stock of both large and small ruminants, effective from September 14, 2024, to March 14, 2025. On April 9, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Finance extended the restriction for another six months.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan temporarily suspended the export of cattle, small ruminants, and horses to third countries starting from 31 January.

According to Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, meat and meat product imports increased by 65.1% year-on-year in the January–March period of 2025, reaching US$138.1 million.

The Central Bank noted that a reduced supply of meat due to export restrictions from neighboring countries, combined with rising import costs, has led to higher domestic prices.

In March, meat prices rose by 6.1%, and by 21.6% on a year-over-year basis. In April, the National Statistics Committee reported a slowdown in monthly price growth: beef (excluding fillet) increased by 1.84%, while lamb rose by 1.83%.

The Ministry of Agriculture commented on the price hike, emphasizing that meat prices in Uzbekistan “remain within regional trends and show relative stability against the backdrop of global market fluctuations.”

The ministry also noted that Uzbekistan ranks second among Central Asian countries in terms of meat price affordability, following Kyrgyzstan.