Kazakh social media users on Threads are highlighting the growing hardship of rising food prices, especially meat, as more families are forced to cut dietary variety. An informal poll reveals that many now rely on the cheapest staples, resulting in restricted nutrition nationwide.
Posts that drew the strongest reactions mentioned giving up chocolate bars (including locally made brands), glazed curds, chips and seafood, especially salmon.
One commenter quipped that «soon Kazakhstanis will stop eating beef altogether,» as prices for the national staple continue to rise. Many households, in response, are shifting to chicken as a more affordable source of protein.
Others noted that diets are increasingly restricted to cereals, pasta and flour-based foods. For vegetables, shoppers mostly stick to the inexpensive «borscht set» — basic items like cabbage, potatoes, onions and carrots used in simple dishes.
Looking ahead to 2025, users predicted that costly items such as premium cheeses, fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts will be dropped from shopping lists for many families. Takeout coffee, fast food and street food are also becoming less common, as more people choose to cook at home.
Some users described having to buy groceries in installments through Kaspi Red, a payment program once reserved for less essential goods. Its new role underlines the intensity of the cost-of-living strain.
One commenter suggested that if food banks, organizations that distribute free meat and groceries to people in need, were more widely available in Kazakhstan, a significant portion of the population would utilize them.
