In a recent development, butchers in Karachi have escalated the prices of beef and mutton just before the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan, raising concerns about potential further increases during this significant Islamic period.
A Sunday report in an English daily highlighted this surge, revealing that numerous retailers have tacked on an additional Rs100 per kg on both beef and mutton. The report also shed light on the absence of an official price-checking mechanism, allowing such increases to occur without effective oversight.
Previously, retailers offering veal (Bachia) meat with and without bones at Rs1,000 and Rs1,200 per kg, respectively, have now increased their prices to Rs1,100 and Rs1,300 per kg. In North Nazimabad N Block, a customer reported paying Rs1,200 and Rs1,400 for veal meat with and without bones, indicating an overall increase of Rs100 per kg.
For mutton, retailers are now charging Rs2,000 per kg, up from the previous price of Rs1,900. This initial surge in prices before Ramazan aligns with the typical trend, where meat prices experience multiple hikes leading up to Ramazan and Eidul Fitr. Unfortunately, consumers often overlook these increases due to ineffective monitoring mechanisms and the fixation of unrealistic prices.
Meat merchants continue to attribute the rising prices to factors such as increased meat exports, higher transportation costs, and various additional charges, perpetuating a familiar narrative in the market. As the community gears up for the holy month of Ramazan, concerns loom over the affordability of essential food items, prompting a need for more robust monitoring and control measures to ensure fair pricing for consumers.
