Mongolian livestock has now surged to record numbers, far in excess of domestic demand. The total number reached 66.2 million animals at the end of 2017, which is an increase of approximately 7.8% from 2016. The number of livestock reached 80 million in June after the birth of 18 million young animals in the spring.

However, these days, the inhabitants of the Mongolian capital cannot afford to buy meat because of high prices: one kilogram of beef currently costs MNT 10.210 (approximately USD 4) in Ulaanbaatar. Last week, for example, a kilogram of mutton sold at MNT 6680, a kilogram of beef at MNT 10210, a kilogram of goat meat at MNT 5400 and a kilogram of horse meat at MNT 6450. Our investigators decided not to visit an expensive food shop, but rather the Khuchit Shonkhor market, which is known to be the cheapest market in Ulaanbaatar.

According to National Statistics Office, as of 12 December, the price of consumer products has increased by 5.4 percent from the previous month and by 2.9 percent from last week.

Mongolians use meat on a daily basis as it is totally central to the national diet.