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Kazakhstan is introducing a new, budget-friendly meat option to its consumers: saiga antelope. This wild game meat is now officially available in retail chains and specialized markets, offering a substantial cost saving compared to traditional beef.

From Regulation to Production

The initiative to manage the saiga population has evolved into a full-fledged production model. Saiga meat products, such as canned goods, are expected to appear on store shelves starting January 2025. Meanwhile, chilled carcasses have already begun appearing in designated sales points during the summer months.

This regulatory and production process is overseen by employees of the 'Okhotzooprom' State Enterprise under the Ministry of Ecology and the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Trade. In 2025, 27 out of 35 licensed slaughter facilities were engaged in this operation, located across seven regions of the country.

Pre-Sale Safety Inspections

Ensuring the safety of wild game meat is paramount. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 196,120 saiga carcasses have been processed at the slaughter facilities. Each carcass undergoes rigorous inspection, including organoleptic examination of internal organs and the head, and examination of lymph nodes. Mandatory tests for boiling, cysticercosis (finnosis), and radiation levels are also conducted.

A total of 137,381 carcasses have been sold domestically, accompanied by 1,729 veterinary certificates confirming their origin and safety. While the purchase prices from 'Okhotzooprom' to partner enterprises are considered commercial secrets, retail prices have been disclosed.

As of early 2026, the price for one kilogram of saiga meat ranges between 1,300 and 2,400 tenge, with the most popular segment priced at 1,600-1,800 tenge. For comparison, beef prices in some regions can exceed 4,000 tenge per kilogram.

The Law 'On Veterinary Medicine' prohibits the sale of animal products without expert examination. State inspectors regularly verify veterinary certificates, slaughterhouse stamps, temperature control during transportation, and laboratory research results in official markets and stores.

The relevant committee advises consumers to purchase saiga meat only from designated locations and to request accompanying documentation.

Hides and Export Potential

Beyond meat, the government plans to utilize by-products. Kazakhstan has 11 enterprises capable of processing 3.3 million cattle hides annually, and their technical infrastructure can also handle saiga hides.

Furthermore, efforts are underway to open external markets. The Ministry of Agriculture has submitted official requests to the veterinary services of China, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Japan to obtain import requirements for live saiga, their parts, and derivatives, including horns.

Once these requirements are met, the ministry intends to initiate the process of agreeing on veterinary certificates for export. Participants in foreign economic activities will be further informed of the outcomes.

Consequently, the saiga population management initiative has created a new product category for the domestic market. The key question now is whether Kazakhstani consumers are ready to embrace this cheaper alternative to conventional beef.