Bishkek's food basket on July 11. How prices changed over the week

The cost of a basic food basket in Bishkek has risen by 18 som over the past week, now totaling 7,005 som. This weekly price fluctuation is primarily driven by changes in the cost of fresh produce, which significantly impacts the overall basket value.

While tomatoes and onions have seen price decreases, consumers are now paying more for potatoes, cucumbers, and cabbage. These shifts in vegetable prices are a key factor in the basket's overall weekly increase.

Analysis of price trends since the experiment began in late October 2018 reveals a substantial cumulative increase of 3,736 som in the food basket's cost. Year-to-date, the basket has become more expensive by 283 som, and compared to the same period last year, the increase stands at 964 som.

The article notes that bread remains the cheapest item in the basket. Government-approved nutritional standards from 2009 outline minimum monthly consumption for nine food categories, including 9 kg of bread products, 5 kg of meat, and 8.2 kg of potatoes. These standards are used as a basis for calculating the approximate cost for a family of four, though the article acknowledges that actual consumption varies greatly among households.

The publication emphasizes that these calculations are based on prices in a single supermarket and are part of a social experiment by 24.kg, not an absolute measure of living costs. The lowest recorded cost for the basket was 5,791 som on October 18th, while the highest was 6,927 som on December 6th.