KARACHI: The prices of beef and mutton have been raised by Rs20-50 per kg by many retailers, a Dawn survey shows.

However, some retailers are maintaining the earlier rates, but have been warning customers to be prepared for a price hike within the next few days.

The official price fixed by the commissioner of Karachi seems to hold no importance for retailers, who have apparently rejected the official rates by forcing consumers to pay the price at their whim.

Meat stakeholders have increased the prices way ahead of Ramazan and it is feared that near the holy month they might again jack up the rates to cash on demand when people make bulk purchases a few days prior to Eidul Fitr.

It is seen that demand for meat goes up in Ramazan with the start of Iftar dinner receptions.

After the surge in prices veal meat with bone in various areas is now selling at Rs460-480 per kilo while boneless meat is available at Rs560-580 per kg.

The price of mutton has been raised to Rs900 from Rs850 per kg while some shops are demanding Rs950 per kg claiming that they are selling pure goat meat instead of lamb. Butchers of big cow are also demanding extra Rs20-30 per kg on meat with and without bones.

Some consumers told Dawn that they had noticed that many retailers, who did not place the head of goat or leg on display at their shops, were actually selling lamb’s meat instead of goat’s as many consumers could not identify the difference between mutton and lamb.

Increase in meat price appears to be surprising when meat exports have been on the decline for the past two years.

Previously retailers and wholesalers of meat used to attribute the meat price hike to rising exports of meat.

The city government had increased the mutton rate to Rs740 per kg in 2017 after maintaining it at Rs550 per kg in 2015.

The official rates of veal meat with and without bones were raised to Rs380 and Rs470 per kg in 2017 from Rs320 and Rs440 per kg, respectively.

Some retailers have displayed official prices at their shops to avoid any fine or being put behind bars, but they do not sell meat at official rates.

Citing the rise in wholesale prices, a retailer at Water Pump in FB Area said he had been procuring veal meat with bones at Rs400 per kg, but from the past few days he was paying extra Rs20-30 per kg.

After adding transportation charges and other expenses, the retail rate further goes up, he added.

He said good quality veal meat (bachia cow) of two maund now costs Rs32,000 and after adding transportation and slaughtering charges the cost exceeds Rs33,000.

He said meat continues to be exported to various countries and animals are also being sent to various countries while live animals are being shipped to Quetta as well.

Exports of meat and meat preparations in July-February 2017-18 plunged to 35,319 tonnes ($127 million) as compared to 40,769 tonnes ($140m) in same period last fiscal. Total exports in 2016-2017 fell to 61,516 tonnes ($221m) from 77,324 tonnes ($269m) in 2015-2016.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2018