“Higher demand owing to wedding season and lower demand for chicken following reports of bird flu outbreak in Bhaktapur have driven up mutton prices in the Kathmandu Valley,” said Man Bahadur Khatri, a trader at Tukucha goat market.[break]
Khatri said supplies from India that account for over 85 percent of the total supplies in the capital have dropped to around 15-16 trucks (a truck carries around 300 goats) a week, down from normal supplies of 25 trucks a week.
Drop in supplies, meanwhile, has pushed up the price of live goats in the capital. According to traders, price of live goats increased to Rs 335 per kg on Sunday, up from Rs 315 per kg recorded on Saturday. This has made mutton dearer by Rs 60 per kg in the capital - the largest consumer market for mutton. Mutton is selling for Rs 600 per kg in the retail market.
Rizwan Pureti, an importer of goats, said price of live goats has increased because of drop in supplies from India. “Our suppliers in Baharaich and Lucknow have cut down supplies,” Pureti, said, adding, “We are receiving lower number of goats from India which is also witnessing rise in goat prices.”
Supplies of local goats to Kathmandu have dropped to the lowest level due to heavy consumption of mutton in villages during Dashain and Tihar festivals.
Consumers are shifting to mutton following reports of bird flu outbreak in a farm at Manahara of Bhaktapur last week. This has resulted in sharp fall in chicken prices. Chicken is selling in range of Rs 150-160 per kg in the capital.
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