Almaty and Taraz: the city of sweet lovers and the meat capital of 2024

Each region of Kazakhstan has its own unique food preferences: some prefer fish, others lean towards meat, while some have a particular fondness for pastries and chocolate. This information was shared by the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as reported by a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.

The majority of household food expenditures in Kazakhstan traditionally go to meat and meat products (16.3%) and bread and grain products (7.6%).

The highest consumption of meat and meat products is observed in Taraz, Zhambyl, Akmola, and Zhetysu regions, while the lowest is in Shymkent.

Interestingly, residents of the Turkistan region buy the most bread and flour, averaging 13.6 kg per person per month. In contrast, the preference for baked goods is lower in the North Kazakhstan region, with an average of 9 kg per person.

Meat lovers live in Taraz and Zhambyl region, where each family member consumes 7.9 kg of meat per month. Meanwhile, meat consumption in Shymkent is the lowest, at just 5 kg per person per month.

In North Kazakhstan, people consume the most fish—on average, 2 kg of fish and seafood per person per month. On the other hand, fish consumption is lowest in Shymkent, at only 400 g per person.

Milk and dairy products are purchased most often in Akmola region, with 26.2 liters per person per month. The lowest preference for milk is in Shymkent, where each resident consumes only 12.6 liters per month.

The highest fruit consumption is recorded in Zhambyl and Kyzylorda regions, averaging 12 kg per person per month. Conversely, fruit consumption is lowest in Mangistau region, with just 6 kg per person.

Finally, the residents of Almaty turn out to be the biggest sweet lovers. On average, each resident of the southern capital consumes 4.4 kg of sugar, jam, honey, chocolate, and confectionery products per month. Meanwhile, sweet products are less popular in Shymkent, where each resident consumes only 2.7 kg of sweets per month.

Previously, it was reported that urban population of Kazakhstan will constitute 70% of total population by 2050.