Prices for catering services in Kazakhstan increased significantly in December

With the onset of winter, prices for catering services have increased in Kazakhstan, making it difficult for the population to spend their daily money. According to the latest data, in the fourth quarter of this year, Kazakhstanis began to spend 4.1% more on food outside the home than in 2023. On average, households spend 18.8 thousand tenge on food in cafes and restaurants, which is about 6.3 thousand tenge per month.

In terms of regional differences, the highest spending on food outside the home is noted in Astana. Here, according to statistics, families spend an average of 37.4 thousand tenge per quarter, which is 15.4% more than last year. This is twice as much as the national average. The next highest spending is on families in Pavlodar and Zhetysu regions, which spend an average of 34.4 thousand and 30 thousand tenge per quarter, respectively. At the same time, Zhambyl region records the lowest spending on food outside the home - only 2.5 thousand tenge over three months, which is 7.6 times lower than the average Kazakhstani indicator.

The growth in food expenses is especially noticeable in Shymkent, where costs increased 2.4 times over the year and amounted to 14.2 thousand tenge in the first quarter of this year. While in Zhambyl region, on the contrary, expenses decreased by 2.7 times.

According to data on prices for catering services, over the past year they have increased by 9.4%. Fast food establishments have become especially expensive, where prices have increased by 12.3%, and canteens and restaurants have increased their prices by 9.3% and 8.8%, respectively. The cost of lunch in a restaurant has increased by about 8.9%, and a cup of coffee or tea in a cafe has risen in price by 8.7%. The biggest increase in prices for catering affected residents of the Karaganda region, where the growth was 15.1% over the year. In second place are the Kostanay region (14.4%) and the East Kazakhstan region (12.9%). The smallest increase in prices is observed in the Aktobe region, where the increase was only 1.7%.

Interestingly, a sociological survey conducted by the Densaulyk Association showed that Almaty residents, despite the rise in prices, continue to actively consume fast food. According to the survey results, 55% of respondents admitted that they eat fast food regularly, which is due to a lack of time and preference for tastes.

In the international arena, Kazakhstan ranks 46th among 96 countries in terms of the cost of visiting an inexpensive restaurant, which is $8.5. A three-course lunch for two in a mid-priced restaurant will cost $31.7, which puts the country in 35th place in the world ranking. In the CIS, the most affordable countries for eating out are Uzbekistan, where lunch costs are significantly lower - only $4.8 for visiting an inexpensive restaurant. In the context of rising prices, it is important to take into account local characteristics and plan food costs in order to maintain comfort during the winter.