Eid pushes meat price to the roof

Holiday makers dig deeper during the celebration of Eid al-Fitr following a sharp rise in meat prices in various parts of Dar es Salaam.

The price abruptly rises, especially on the first day of Eid, after soaring demand forces consumers to spend up to their last coin for the food to mark the celebration.

The meat prices at Vingunguti abattoir, wholesale butchers, flown form between 7,800/- and 8,000/- compared to around 6,500/- per kilogramme before the festival ended Ramadan.

Also, the Daily News random survey conducted in various butchers around the city including Chamazi, Buza, Bunju, Segerea, Makuburi, and Kiwalani showed the average retail price rose to 10,000/- per kg from 8,000/- per kg depending on respective places.

Theresia Musa, a resident of Yombo Buza, said due to the high price made her reduce the quantity intended to buy for her family in order to make the festive.

“I wanted to buy one kilo but due to this price, only three quarters will be enough for the festive,” she said Theresia

She thought that the increase in price has been caused by the high demand for meat and she said the situation has made the meat dealers in butchers raise prices.

The Chairman of the Livestock and Livestock Products Traders Association, Mr Joel Meshack said at least 970 cattle were slaughtered during this Eid compared to Easter when 900 cattle were slaughtered.

“Normally meat demand is high during Eid compared to Easter celebration,” Mr Meshack said.

He said in normal days the Vingunguti Abattoir slaughter around 400 to 500 cattle while in the weekend the number raise to between 500 and 600.

The sharp rise in the price is attributed to the increased demand that makes it harder for consumers to enjoy the religious festive accordingly. To at least enjoy the festivals, some reduce their normal spending budgets on food items.

However, some butcher houses maintain almost normal prices to enable people to celebrate the festival at least comfortably depending on their budget.

One of that butchers, as observed by Daily News, was ‘Kazi Bure’ in Bunju where the prices were normal at 8,000/- per kg as the owner slaughtered enough cattle to suppress demand.