Official rates of beef and mutton increased by Rs50-100 per kg in Karachi

Karachi city authorities have raised the prices of beef and mutton by Rs50-100 per kilogram, according to the latest rates issued by the Karachi commissioner. Beef, both with and without bones, now costs Rs1,050 and Rs1,350 per kilogram, respectively, a Rs50 increase compared to the February rates. Similarly, veal prices have also been raised by Rs50 per kilogram, with bone-in veal costing Rs1,350 and boneless veal at Rs1,650 per kilogram.

Mutton, on the other hand, has seen a more substantial rise, with its price increased by Rs100 per kilogram to Rs2,300 from the previous Rs2,200. Despite these official increases, a significant disparity remains between the government-set prices and the prevailing market rates.

Recent data from the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) reveals that mutton prices in Karachi have jumped to Rs2,200-3,000 per kilogram over the past 18 months, up from the earlier range of Rs2,000-2,800 per kilogram. Market rates for veal, with and without bones, currently hover around Rs1,500 and Rs1,700-1,800 per kilogram. The gap between official and market prices continues to widen, leading to complaints from meat merchants who attribute the rise to factors such as increased meat exports.

Additionally, soaring transportation costs, exacerbated by the sharp rise in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices from Rs380 to Rs500-550 per kilogram and high diesel rates, have further contributed to the escalating cost of meat production and distribution.