Traders said live goat is selling for as much as Rs 280 per kg, which is Rs 30 per kg up from the earlier price. [break]
“Impact of bird-flu cases in Pokhara and reduced supplies of goat in the capital are the major causes behind the price hike,” said Gyan Bahadur Shrestha, a mutton trader, told myrepublica.com.
With the rise in the price of live goats, price of mutton has soared to Rs 500 per kg from Rs 450 over the period. Shrestha claimed that reports of bird-flu cases have increased the demand for mutton.
“Inflow of goats has dropped to around 4,000 heads per week from around 6,000 heads few days back,” said Bishnu Bidari, a goat trader in Ratnapark goat market.
Traders said supply of goats to the capital from India -- the major source of goats-- has declined significantly over the period. According to them supplies from India covers around 80 percent of the total demand in Nepali market.
“With the decline in the inflow of goats from the southern neighbor, supplies of domestic goats have increased to tap the supply deficit,” said Bidari. He said the lean season would last until April.
Traders said districts adjoining the capital such as Dhading, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk and Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajastan are the major source of mutton in domestic market.
Gradual rise in the production of broiler chicken has stabilized the price of chicken at Rs 270 per kg in the market.
“Increasing supplies of chicken from Chitwan and local poultry farms in the capital has made the price stable at Rs 270 per kg for almost one month,” said Hari Krishna Rawal, manager of Valley Cold Store, one of the largest chicken suppliers in the valley.
However, price of eggs has dropped to Rs 220 per crate from Rs 235 per crate recorded till last week.
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