Festival season sees the price of mutton soar

CHENNAI: First the prices of vegetables went soaring thanks to the incessant rains. Now it is the price of mutton which has hit an all time high of Rs. 380 a kilo on Sunday. On week days it sells for Rs 360 per kilo, an increase of 40 Rupees from a week ago.
Mohammed Hanif, a butcher in Nungambakkam said prices have shot up partly because of the recent Bakrid festival where a politician sacrificed 2000 sheep in Kancheepuram for Eid.In addition, a very high profile wedding in Madurai has also contributed to the sky-rocketing cost of mutton. "A sheep priced anywhere between Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 is now commanding a price upwards of Rs. 4,000," he said. "What is available for Rs. 240 a kg in whole sale is only good for mince meat and not preferred for other dishes. The general whole sale cost per kg for a mutton merchant is itself Rs. 260," he added.
Irfan Ahmed, another mutton merchant in Royapettah, said he used to sell about 100 sheep every day but currently he can manage only about 25. Although the supply of sheep has been lagging demand, the situation has become worse after Bakrid he said. "Even hotels are finding it difficult to procure enough mutton to meet their demand," he added. Only hotels which have a regular contract with their suppliers are able to get by without any shortages.
Ahmed is not sure whether the price of mutton will come down and expressed hope that with increased supply of goat and sheep from villages, the prices could stabilise. "With Christmas and New Year round the corner, it is unlikely that the demand for sheep will come down," he said.