Ashgabat - Post Report Question and Answers
How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Very available. Supermarkets are about as big and well-stocked as what you'd find in the US with lots of recognizable western brands. Some niche products and produce are hard to find locally (things I couldn't find: dryer sheets, celery), and it's helpful to know a little Russian and Turkmen/Turkish when shopping so you know what you're buying. Anything imported from afar is going to cost about on par what you pay in the US but local goods can be found very cheaply, especially if you're willing to shop the bazaars instead of the big supermarkets. Even alcohol isn't difficult to find, though your beer/wine selections are going to be limited and you might not be able to find some specialty liquors. Alcohol also costs about what it would back home. - Jan 2024
Tricky question. Some foods at the Russian Market were dirt cheap. We could buy all of our weekly fruits, vegetables, frozen chicken breast and mediocre cheeses for less than $20 USD total. The main supermarket was expensive though. You could get anything, but you will pay for it. Cream cheese $15, 2 liter of Coke is $6. You will learn quickly how to shop like a local and at places that would accept USD. - Dec 2020
Groceries can be a little pricy but if you fully use your consumable allowance, it is fine. Many order dry goods through the pouch. Green markets in neighborhood carry wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. I have had no trouble finding what I need that I can't have shipped. There are a couple large style grocery stores that carry most of what you need. - Mar 2019
The cost for western products and meat is very high. The cost for fruits and vegetables in season, eggs, and bread is very reasonable. - Jun 2018
Fresh fruits and vegetables are very limited and quality is spotty. Chicken, ground beef and lamb are the only meat options. Pork can be found at certain butchers (but you better find a reputable one). This is a consumables post and you should use most of it on liquids (PB, syrup, tomato sauce) and alcohol. You will not find packaged prepared food out here either. Basic cleaning supplies and paper products are available - Feb 2016
The Turkish chain 'Yimpash' is the one stop shop for all that you need ala Walmart. Arid Turkmenistan needs to import nearly all of its foodstufs from Turkey, Iran and Russia. There are several farmers markets around town that provide additional produce options. Costs are generally cheaper than in the U.S. as many of the staples are subsidized by the government. Dairy products are much more expensive, with a one liter tetrapak of milk costing US$2/liter. You can generally find a Russian equivalent to your preferred household products. The diplomatic pouch was used heavily by all to bring in preferred dry goods. There are no contact lens-related products available. - Jul 2014
Just open-market shopping. The rest has to be shipped in via amazon.com. Oh, and the COLA doesn’t even come close to covering your expenses. Forget buying pork, and expect to get served camel meat when they tell you it is beef. No words can express the anger you will feel when you try to find decent meat without maggots and that hasn’t been mixed with some other type of meat. Keep your eyes on the vendor, too. They will put rotten vegetables in your bag (when you aren’t looking) mixed with fresh vegetables. You won’t find out that half of your vegetables are rotten until you get home. - Oct 2012
Availability is decent. The relative cost is a little high, but the COLA covers that fairly easily. - Mar 2012
