Kazakhstan's shopping habits reveal a subtle shift toward healthier diets

Kazakhstans are gradually improving their product basket, but are still sweet-toothed, reports the analytical channel **Saudata**. "Confectionery remains the leader in purchases by the total share of the basket taken from supermarkets according to the average receipt: it accounts for 15.7% of the total amount of the average consumer receipt in the republic over the past two years. The nearest "challengers" - drinks (juices, sodas, and mineral water) and meat products - occupy shares of 10.4% and 10.3% respectively, while dairy products account for only 8.8% of the "weight" of purchases by Kazakhs", the analysts specify. However, as the study shows, there is a clear trend towards healthier eating in the product basket of Kazakhs: firstly, if one looks at the frequency of appearance in receipts rather than the cost, sweets, chocolate products, cakes, pastries, and cookies occupy only the second place (33%) in the consumer hit parade of the country after drinks (43%), secondly, the consumption of dairy products has been increasing recently, which has almost caught up with confectionery in terms of frequency of appearance in the average receipt - 30%. Meanwhile, bakery products have lost their positions - if in August-September 2024 they appeared in approximately 23% of receipts, then in August-September of this year they appeared in approximately 20%. Kazakhs have also been buying fruits less frequently: if in the summer of 2024 this category aimed for a penetration of 10.6% of receipts, then in the summer of 2025 it appeared in 9.4% of receipts of Kazakh buyers. Overall, in Kazakhstan, there is a trend towards healthier consumer baskets: confectionery and drinks remain leaders in terms of penetration, but are reducing their reach, while dairy products are appearing in receipts more frequently, vegetables are maintaining stability throughout the year, although they are subject to seasonal "swings". If one adds to this a small but stable increase in meat consumption, it can be seen that the Kazakh product basket is becoming slightly more "nutritious" rather than "sweet-drink". **Read also:** * **Smailov: Establishing a trade margin corridor for all consumer basket goods will lead to price regulation** * **New school meal standard: Suppliers in Astana say transition to "healthy" menu is impossible** * **Which products became cheaper in Kazakhstan in October**