Palaw Index November / 2025

November 2025: Palaw Preparation Costs Increased by 29.4%.

In November 2025, the average cost of preparing palaw in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, rose to 83.4 Turkmen manat, representing a 29.4% increase from 64.5 manat in November 2024. The rise was driven primarily by higher meat prices. Compared with the previous month, October 2025 (77.4 manat), the cost increased by 7.8% month on month. This trend contrasts with global developments, as the FAO’s Food Price Index recorded a 2.1% year-on-year decline.

Annual Price Changes for Palaw Ingredients in Ashgabat

Prices of key palaw ingredients showed significant variation in November 2025.

• Declines: Carrot prices declined by 24.1%, while rice prices remained unchanged.
• Increases: Beef prices surged by 51.2%, onions increased by 33.1%, wheat flour rose by 7.0%, and sunflower oil prices edged up by 0.9% (see Figure 1).

Meat Prices Continue to Rise

Meat prices in Ashgabat have increased sharply since June 2025, largely due to widespread livestock losses – particularly in the Ahal region – reportedly caused by drought, malnutrition, and disease. These losses have placed additional strain on already weak veterinary services, heightening the risk of disease outbreaks and worsening meat shortages. As of November 2025, the average price of meat in Ashgabat reached 94 manat per kilogram, up from 62.2 manat in the same month last year.

How does it Compare to Salary Increases in Turkmenistan?

In 2025, Turkmenistan’s minimum wage increased by 10% to 1,410 manat, continuing the pattern of annual wage adjustments. Minimum monthly pensions stood at 550 manat. Between January and November 2025, the Palaw Index (PI) rose by an average of 14.5%. The recent acceleration in the PI suggests that food prices are increasing faster than wages, leading to a decline in consumers’ purchasing power.

FAO Price Index: Global Trends by Product Category

According to the FAO, in November 2025:

• The Vegetable Oil Price Index increased by 0.5% year-on-year;
• The Cereal Price Index fell by 5.3%, reflecting lower international prices for wheat and other grains;
• The All Rice Price Index declined by 1.5% amid weak import demand;
• The Meat Price Index increased by 4.9% due to strong global demand.

Methodology

Prices of ingredients in the Palaw Index are collected for 1 kg of onion, carrot, beef, rice, and flour, and 1 liter of cooking oil. Based on the methodology, in order to cook palaw for a family of four, we use 0.3 liters of cooking oil, 0.5 kg of onion, 1 kg of carrots, 0.6 kg of beef, 1 kg of rice, and 0.5 kg of flour in our formula. Please click here to learn more about the methodology of the Palaw Index.