As Mongolians prepare for winter, expectations of lower consumer goods prices, including food and meat, have been disrupted. A visit to the Khuchit Shonkhor market revealed that meat prices have risen by 1,000 to 3,000 MNT compared to previous months.
Meat traders attribute the price hike to the recent livestock census and a reduction in wet meat supply following the winter harvest. Currently, beef whole meat is sold for 18,500 MNT to 19,500 MNT per kilogram, beef bone-in meat for 17,500 MNT to 18,000 MNT, and beef thigh whole meat, the most expensive, for 21,000 MNT to 22,000 MNT. Boneless horse meat costs 10,000 MNT per kilogram, boneless mutton meat is priced at 14,000 MNT to 14,500 MNT, and whole mutton meat is sold for 15,500 MNT. Boneless goat meat is priced at 11,000 MNT, and whole goat meat is sold for 12,000 MNT.
Despite these increases, traders claim that the supply of fresh meat remains scarce, and cellar-stored meat is being sold for around 12,000 MNT per kilogram. Two months ago, prices were significantly lower. On November 28, 2024, mutton sold for 12,000 MNT to 13,500 MNT per kilogram, goat meat for 9,500 MNT to 10,000 MNT, beef for 12,000 MNT to 15,000 MNT, and horse meat for 8,500 MNT to 9,000 MNT.
Herders from provinces such as Sukhbaatar and Dundgovi are bringing meat to the market. However, they report that rising costs of grass, feed and food have eroded their profits despite increased prices. Fat sheep loins, a traditional winter staple, are also seeing steep prices. Depending on weight, a fat sheep loin sells for 360,000 MNT for smaller loins, 450,000 MNT for 30-kilogram loins, and 500,000 MNT to 600,000 MNT for loins over 40 kilograms. Wholesale prices for meat are also elevated, with beef carcasses selling for 17,000 MNT to 18,000 MNT per kilogram, lamb carcasses for 11,800 MNT, and goat carcasses for 8,500 MNT per kilogram.
According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), consumer prices in Ulaanbaatar increased by 1.3 percent in December 2024 compared to the previous month and by 9.1 percent from previous December. The price of solid beef in Ulaanbaatar rose to an average of 20,667 MNT per kilogram in December 2024, which was a 1.5 percent increase (309 MNT) from the previous month, a 13.4 percent increase from December 2023, and a 32.8 percent increase from December 2022. Meat prices rose overall by 17.1 percent compared to December 2023. This includes increases in beef prices by 16.3 percent, horse meat prices by 8.7 percent, and mutton and goat meat prices by 21.3 percent. NSO also reported that the price of bread, flour and rice increased by 6.5 percent, driven by a 2.1 percent rise in flour prices, a 9.4 percent increase in bread and pastries, and an 18.3 percent rise in pasta prices.
