Residents of Dushanbe have been complaining about the rising prices of essential goods, including meat. Since the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, food prices have once again soared. Over the past week, 10 sellers in Dushanbe were detained and fined for overcharging for meat.
Asia-Plus’s reporter visited several Dushanbe’s bazaars to find out about the cost and quality of meat. For the investigation, they visited butcher’s shops at Safariyon, Mehrgon, and Sakhovat bazaars.
According to price tags at the Safariyon bazaar, the cost of 1 kg of fatty meat is 75 somonis. Sellers claim that 1 kg of meat contains 300-350 grams of fat. Lean meat costs 90-95 somonis, and boneless meat ranges from 120 to 150 somonis.
However, finding boneless meat at this bazaar wasn't as easy as expected. Most sellers don't sell the lean meat because it has low demand and doesn't bring much profit.
The situation at the Mehrgon bazaar is similar. According to price tags, beef with fat costs 75 somonis, but when asking sellers, they mention a different price – 95 somonis. After clarification, it turned out that 95 somonis is the price for lean meat, which is a more profitable purchase. Here, 1 kg of meat also contains up to 300 grams of fat. Boneless meat costs 125 somonis.
At the Sakhovat bazaar, prices were a bit lower than at the other two bazaars, ranging from 60 to 95 somonis. Both Tajik and imported meats from Belarus are sold here. According to the sellers, 1 kg of Tajik fatty meat is sold for 75 somonis. Lean meat was only found in one shop outside the market, priced at 95 somonis. In other shops, lean meat is not sold, with the explanation that “selling lean meat was banned.”
Belarusian fatty meat costs 60-70 somonis, while lean meat is priced at 70-75 somonis. "We add 100 to 300 grams of fat per 1 kg of meat," explained the sellers. Boneless meat is not sold at the Sakhovat bazaar.
Residents believe that buying fatty meat is unprofitable since much of the fat has to be discarded. “Beef fat is not particularly suitable for cooking. Some people use it to make sambusa, but even there, a lot of fat is unnecessary. If almost 1 kg of fat comes from 3 kg of meat, it's just a waste," shared one of the customers near the butcher’s shop.
It is worth noting that earlier, the Dushanbe Police Department urged traders and entrepreneurs not to raise prices on goods and products in the markets during the month of Ramadan. The authorities stated that legal measures would be taken against those who overcharge.
It should be noted that every year, before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, traders raise prices on goods and products in the markets, which causes concern among the population. Especially essential goods such as meat, vegetables, and fruits become more expensive. This year, with the onset of Ramadan, prices for basic products have also increased.
