Kazakhstanis have stopped buying saiga meat - what will be done with the products now

Tengrinews.kz — Meat processing plants in Kazakhstan are facing difficulties selling saiga antelope meat. The Ministry of Agriculture is currently considering several options for utilizing the product.
According to Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov, while there was initial demand when saiga meat first hit the market, it was largely driven by consumer curiosity.

"There was a period of high demand, and people bought canned products as well, but it was more of a novelty. That interest has since subsided, and enterprises are now struggling with sales," he told reporters on the sidelines of a government meeting.

Sultanov explained that the Ministry of Agriculture, along with the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Trade, is exploring various ways to utilize the meat. One option involves supplying organizations that purchase food in large volumes.
The Vice Minister emphasized, however, that there are no plans to include saiga meat in children's diets.

"For example, there are companies operating on a shift basis that buy food in bulk. This meat could be incorporated into their rations alongside other types of meat," Sultanov explained.

He assured that saiga meat is safe for consumption, noting that all products undergo mandatory laboratory and veterinary inspections.
When asked about potential supplies to the military, Sultanov stated that no such plans currently exist. He noted that saiga meat is considered lean and dietary, whereas other types of meat are preferable for young servicemen.
The Vice Minister also reported that there are no immediate plans to lower the recommended price for saiga meat. He stated that the current price accounts for the costs of harvesting, transportation, and processing. It may be reviewed if operational costs for enterprises increase.
The sale of saiga meat in Kazakhstan became possible due to state-regulated population control measures for the steppe antelopes, whose numbers reached 5 million. For the 2025–2026 period, the meat is being legally sold through retail outlets and processing plants. Last year, a kilogram of saiga meat could be purchased for 1,800 tenge in one of the regions.