An average salary in Kazakhstan can buy about 79 kilograms of cheese — the lowest figure among all countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). For comparison, the same salary in Belarus can purchase 127 kilograms, and in Russia — 120 kilograms, reports infohub.kz.
Earlier reports said Kazakhstan had increased cheese production and even exports some of its products to other countries. However, for the population, cheese products have turned out to be less affordable than in other EAEU member states.
According to the Eurasian Economic Commission, one average nominal salary in Kazakhstan can buy 79 kilograms of hard, soft, or rennet cheese — the lowest indicator in the union.
Belarus leads in cheese affordability: one salary there is enough for 127 kilograms. Russia follows with 120 kilograms. In Armenia, a salary can purchase 116 kilograms, and in Kyrgyzstan — 92 kilograms of cheese products.
A similar situation is observed with dairy products. An average Kazakhstani can buy 764 liters of whole milk with one salary — more than in Kyrgyzstan (511 liters), but less than in other EAEU countries.
In Belarus, for example, one salary can buy as much as 1,277 liters of whole or raw milk, and in Russia — 1,181 liters. In Armenia, the money is enough for 848 liters.
Cheese turned out to be the only product that is less affordable for Kazakhstanis than for the populations of other EAEU countries. In other respects, the republic demonstrates leadership in the affordability of a number of goods.
For example, the country stood out for the highest affordability of potatoes: one average nominal salary is enough for as much as 1,737 kilograms. For comparison, in Belarus, which is often associated with potatoes, the money is enough for only 1,492 kilograms — even less than in Russia (1,565 kilograms). Kyrgyzstan (1,133 kilograms) and Armenia (740 kilograms) follow.
Kazakhstan also became the undisputed leader in the affordability for the population of first-grade wheat flour, pasta, white cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, and onions.
Note that a similar situation with cheeses was observed earlier. For example, last year it was reported that Kazakhstan surpassed almost all CIS countries in cheese product prices. At that time, Moldova took the "leader" position.