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Meat prices are much higher than prices set by Dhaka South City Corporation
Supply chain disruption and temporary closure of businesses amid a government-announced “holiday” to curb coronavirus transmission have pushed up meat prices by as much as Tk250 per kilogram in Dhaka.
Last week, a kilogram beef cost Tk600-630, mutton Tk900-1,000 and broiler Tk180-450 – much higher than prices set by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), reports UNB.
The city corporation set the highest price of each kilogram of local beef at Tk525, mutton at Tk750, and buffalo at Tk480 for Ramadan.
Consumers said traders increased the prices several times in the last two weeks violating the city corporation’s guidelines.
Asif Hossain, a resident of Bangshal, said he bought a kilogram beef on Wednesday for Tk620.
“Meat is costlier now. A kilogram of boiler meat cost me Tk280, which was Tk230 several days ago. A kg mutton cost Tk900-1,000,” he said.
He blamed the lack of monitoring for the situation.
He said: “Consumers have to suffer all the time. We don’t have any income now but we must purchase food at high prices to eat. The traders only care about profit.”
Jannat Begum, a resident of Najirabazar, said she bought chicken at Tk120 a kg 10 days ago. “But now, the broiler chicken costs Tk180,” she said.
Old Dhaka meat trader Aminul Islam said the prices of meat went up several times in the last two weeks.
“Small broiler businesses were closed during the long holidays. The prices increased due to supply crunch,” he said.
Aminul said broiler poultry farmers lost much money at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and now they are trying to make up for the losses ahead of Eid.
Kaptanbazar meat trader Salman said they were selling each kilogram of beef for Tk580-620 based on quality.
A kilogram of Australian cattle meat costs Tk580 but local beef is sold at more than Tk620.
“It’s tough to sell meat as per the city corporation’s guideline as cattle price is high. It might increase further during Eid vacation,” he said.
(DT)
