Astana - Post Report Question and Answers
How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Expensive. Lots of local and Russian products. Fresh fruits and vegetables only really in the summer. This is a meat-eating culture. - mostly beef, chicken and a little bit of horse. Pork hard to find. Fresh Leafy greens also challenging. - Jun 2021
There were several big grocery chains, including Ramstore and Makro (sort of the German version of Costco). There was hardly anything you couldn't buy. Prices generally comparable to in the US. - Oct 2017
Some products appear and disappear at the grocery store. If you aren't particular about a certain brand or beverage, you can make do. The convenience stores (Magazin) are better stocked than one might expect based on outside appearances. And prices at the minimarkets are identical to the prices charged at larger supermarkets. Be prepared to have exact change--many vendors ask patrons for exact payments. - Oct 2016
Fruits and veggies can get very expensive during the winter months, look for frozen items rather than fresh. Chicken, beef, lamb, pork are available most places. No bacon or ham. We think shopping is comparable to U.S. Markets are a great place to save some money and are open year-round. - Jun 2014
You could survive without using the consumable shipment but the prices are very high for imported goods and most of the goods are imported. Fresh produce in winter is higher in price if you are buying vegetables other than carrots, potatoes and cabbage. Bring bleach as I still haven't found what the locals use and the water has a high mineral content. - Sep 2010
Suprisingly, there are many western food items available lately in some grocery stores. Taco shells, cereal, pringles. However, you will pay for this luxury!Bring anything you are especially attached to, like ethic food mixes, spices, baking items. - Jul 2008
Things are expensive here. The location makes it hard to receive goods. Groceries cost about US$80 per week if you buy a fair amount of produce. Household supplies are about 2-3 times as expensive as the same goods in the U.S. Dining out is also expensive--about US$30 per person for a meal (salad, meat, one side dish, one drink). - Jan 2008
