With the conclusion of Dasara festivities in Andhra Pradesh, the prices of chicken and mutton have witnessed a significant surge, leading to concerns among consumers and local vendors. Many residents who refrained from non-vegetarian food during the festival flocked to meat shops on Sunday, only to find prices much higher than usual. Reports indicate that the cost of skinless chicken has escalated to between Rs 240 and Rs 260 per kilogram across various regions, with Srikakulam facing the steepest prices—around Rs 20 more than neighboring districts like Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.
The spike in meat prices is largely attributed to market syndicates, as wholesale traders are reportedly setting the rates, leaving local vendors struggling to keep up. Kailash, a chicken shop owner on Rythu Bazaar Road in Srikakulam, expressed frustration over the situation, urging government intervention to regulate chicken prices. S.K. Farooq, a broiler seller from Ram Nagar market in Visakhapatnam, revealed that mutton is being sold for as much as Rs 2,900 per kilogram, while live chicken and skinless chicken are priced at Rs 160 and Rs 280 per kilogram, respectively.
According to Ravipalli Muralidhar from the Animal Husbandry department, controlling meat prices is a complex issue. However, he suggested that establishing a committee with relevant government departments could help monitor and regulate prices more effectively. The recent surge in demand due to Dasara has also led many traders to source livestock from Odisha, raising accusations that local vendors are inflating prices under the pretext of transportation costs.
As prices continue to rise, consumers and vendors alike are calling for more stringent regulations to curb these escalating costs. The government’s intervention could help stabilize the market and offer relief to those affected by the soaring meat prices across the state.
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