The First Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Zhanibek Kerimaliev, reported that milk with a fat content of at least 3.4% is purchased from farmers at 28-42 soms, while collectors add about 5 soms for their expenses and sell it to processing enterprises at a price of 32-48 soms.
According to the information, the prices for milk in various regions of the country are as follows:
- Bishkek - 35-37.5 soms;
- Chui Region - 36-37 soms;
- Naryn Region - 35-36 soms;
- Talas Region - 32-41 soms;
- Issyk-Kul Region - 34-48 soms.
“It should remain at the level of 45 soms year-round, regardless of the season. People cannot afford to drink milk and give it to their children while earning from it to feed their families. Feed and hay have become expensive, creating additional financial difficulties. If milk prices continue to decline, we will be forced to turn to Japarov and Tashiev. This is a demand from the people! Let the price of milk be stable,” she emphasized.
The head of the company "Talas Daamy," Baktybek Tuuganbaev, also expressed his position, noting that his factory purchases raw materials at 43-45 soms, while farmers sell it at an average of 37 soms. He added that there is a problem with milk yields.
“In Talas, an average cow gives 8 liters of milk, in the Chui region - 10 liters, while in Russia - already 15 liters, and in Belarus - 20 liters. We need to increase productivity. In Europe, cows that give less than 25 liters are sent for slaughter. We do not have such cows in Kyrgyzstan, as they are expensive. Two years ago, we brought one cow for 270,000 soms, but it did not survive,” Tuuganbaev reported, adding that it would be beneficial if the government provided assistance.
He also noted that farmers are given loans of up to 5 million soms at 3%, but this should be increased to 10 million soms.
“In 2022, I gathered farmers, and together we visited the Saratov region, where the AO 'Trudovoe' has 13,000 heads of livestock. We spoke with the owner, who receives 160 tons of milk per day. Such farms are needed in Talas and Chui regions. People are interested in buying pedigree cows, which would increase their incomes. However, the owner of 'Trudovoe' said that it is unprofitable for him to sell less than 100 heads. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the loan amount,” Tuuganbaev concluded.
