Meat Priced Beyond Reach

Meat is traditionally an important part of the Tajik diet, but it is now so expensive that few can afford to buy it on a regular basis.



“I sell meat myself, but I only eat it once a week,” said a market trader interviewed in Dushanbe. “Being a butcher doesn’t mean you get to eat meat every day.”



Health officials warn that for those who can afford it, buying meat can be a risk, as hygiene standards are low in many markets. The white-coated hygiene inspectors patrolling the markets offer an illusory sense of security, as officials say many are unqualified and have been hired by the market owners themselves.