Thaindian News

Islamabad, Aug 13 (IANS) Meat prices in Pakistan have been steadily rising over the past two years, with butchers and meat exporters blaming each other for the price rise.

Butchers accuse exporters of creating shortage of animals while exporters say that meat sellers are manipulating prices.

Mutton was priced between Rs.280 and Rs.300 a kg in February 2009, and went up to Rs.460 by November 2010. In August this year, it shot up to Rs.560 in major cities, while in high-end markets it is priced at Rs.600 per kg, reported Dawn.

Sikander Iqbal Qureshi of the Meat Merchants Association said: “The exporters increase the market rates and if the exports are banned, we will be able to sell mutton at Rs.300 per kg.”

A decision was taken to ban exports of meat and animals for three months, but the commerce ministry decision was withdrawn within two hours without assigning any reason, the media report said.

Official data show that export of meat and meat preparations during 2010-11 was 51.76 million tonnes worth $153.82 million.

Exporters, however, say there was no shortage of cattle, goats and sheep in the country. They claim that the meat sellers were manipulating prices.

Syed Hasan Raza, secretary general of the All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association, said: “If there are shortages of animals in Pakistan, then how are the butchers maintaining meat supplies.”