Cox’sBazar Correspondent :
The price of beef in Cox’ Bazar markets shoots up from Tk 350 to Tk 450 per kilogram, following an unofficial Indian ban on cow entering Bangladesh territory during the last three months.
The shortage in supply of cow not only pushed up beef price but also caused price hike in mutton and broiler chicken.
According to local sellers and purchasers, few months earlier, broiler chicken sold at Tk 115 to 120 per kilogram; now it sells at Tk 160 to 165 per kg, and a kilogram of mutton was Tk 450 and at present the price is selling at Tk 550-Tk 600.
The concern of meet businessmen is mounted, observing the deteriorating supply situation resulted from ban imposed by Indian side. The businessmen apprehend ensuing Ramadan will cause tremendous price effect on all categories of meet taking advantage of shortage in cow supply. They are also frustrated due to paucity in cow import at Myanmar boarder points, the source added.
While discussing with the traders, this correspondent recorded beef, which was earlier selling at Tk 350 to Tk 370 per kg in several kitchen markets, has gone up further.
According to Cox’s Bazar Meet Business Association, during countrywide blockade by 20-party alliance there had been negative trend in cow supply. Present ban from Indian has seriously affected the supply causing more price hike of beef. The ongoing restriction at border points has abnormally dropped down the quantum of cow import.
The businessmen discussing the overall situation with this correspondent expressed serious concern over the reduced supply. The continued deterioration in supply from neighboring India might kick up price at sky rocketing, they fear.
Claiming that the price hike has reduced the sales, beef traders said a number of meat shops have been closed in the wake of cow supply shortage.
While visiting the kitchen markets at Khurulia, Link Road, Rumaliachora, Kalurdokan, Baharchora, Kolatoli and Borobazar, an exorbitant price hike was found in selling of beef and other meets.
Nurul Alam, President of Borobazar Meet Business Association, in his statement, informed ‘nowhere cow is available’ due to the ban on incoming of the cows. This situation worsened as supply of cows from Myanmar boarder points declined, leading to more frustration among the traders as well as consumers. The traders are exploring buffalo from Barisal area to meet the demand.
If this situation continues, beef price might climb to Tk 700 to Tk 800 per kg, the traders apprehended.
Alam, another meet trader, stated although they are adopting practice of mixing greater amount of bones with meet, they are unable to stop incurring losses.
Raza Miah, inhabitant of Ghonapara, is one out of 12 cow businessmen; he expressed frustration saying that traders are now rushing to Shahporir Dip, corridor of Myanmar, to bring cow although price is not low over there.
Abdur Rahman of Tekpara and Kamal Uddin of Hospital Road said general consumers will have to face trouble during the holy month of Ramadan. They demanded appropriate measures from the relevant departments of the government to ease the situation.
According to Indian newspapers, fear emerged among meat traders last month when India’s second-most-populous state, Maharashtra, extended the slaughter ban to include bulls.
The ban carries a stiff punishment which includes conviction for selling or possessing beef with a five-year jail term and a sum of $200 fine.
Within days of the ban, the red-meat business in Mumbai, the state capital, disappeared from the markets, leaving restaurants and eateries scrambling for alternatives. Meat traders in Maharashtra have challenged the ban in court, saying tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs.
