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Kazakhstan's First Vice Minister of National Economy, Azamat Amrin, has stated that the increase in food prices cannot be solely attributed to the rise in Value Added Tax (VAT). He highlighted that prices for certain products are actually decreasing.

Challenging the Price Hike Narrative

Speaking on the sidelines of a parliamentary session, Amrin addressed concerns about escalating food costs. He asserted that attributing the price surge exclusively to the VAT increase is inaccurate and contested the notion that all food items are becoming more expensive.

Specific Product Price Trends

"Why aren't you talking about this?" Amrin questioned reporters. "For example, the prices of tomatoes, cabbage, and buckwheat are currently falling. Why aren't you mentioning this? If you say everything is getting more expensive, that is incorrect."

Government Measures and Inflation Outlook

The Vice Minister assured that the government is implementing necessary measures for socially significant products. He also reported a general downward trend in the country's overall inflation rate. "Our highest figure was 12.6 percent in September last year. It has been decreasing monthly. By the end of April, inflation stood at 10.6 percent. We expect further decreases by the end of May. I believe we will reach single-digit inflation this year," Amrin stated.

Personal Finances

When asked by journalists if he personally tracks household expenses, the official humorously replied, "The card is with my wife. I don't handle household chores; my spouse does that. All my salary goes into the family budget."

Context on Inflation and VAT

According to data from the Bureau of National Statistics, annual inflation in Kazakhstan reached 10.6 percent in April 2026. Food products saw an annual increase of 11.3 percent, non-food goods rose by 11.7 percent, and paid services increased by 8.9 percent. Over the month, food prices grew by 0.7 percent. The VAT rate was increased to 16 percent starting January 1, 2026. The government had previously stated that the VAT increase should not cause a sharp rise in prices, estimating its impact on inflation at 2-3 percent.

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