LAHORE, June 5: Mutton and beef consumption is on the decline in the city owing to non-availability of quality meat despite a record increase in prices. The retail price of mutton has increased from Rs100 per kg to Rs220 during the past three years whereas the beef price has surged from Rs50 to Rs100 per kg owing to export to the Middle East and limited availability of animals for slaughter on account of absence of organized farming. Meat consumption is decreasing not only because of significant increase in prices but also on account of non-availability of quality stuff even at enhanced rates.

Butchers are slaughtering maximum number of sheep for earning higher profits but also insert a water pipe in the heart of the animals immediately after slaughter to increase weight by several kilograms. The meat not only loses weight on account of release of water during cooking but also its taste. People, therefore, prefer chicken to mutton.