Fresh mutton at affordable prices draws crowds to Chengicherla market
Hyderabad: For many families in Telangana, Sunday means a special meal with mutton dishes on the dining table. While many well-to-do families can still afford mutton despite the huge surge in mutton prices following the bird flu scare in the state, middle-class families are turning to seafood as a cheaper option.
One of the reasons behind the price surge in recent years for mutton is due to a reduction in goat farming in the state. This is mainly due to fewer shepherd families (Golla Kurma) taking up the job and also loss of greener pastures for feeding of animals, which has led to a drop in goat and sheep rearing.
As a result, mutton prices have increased sharply. In Telangana villages, mutton now costs over Rs. 750 per kilogram, while in Hyderabad, prices range from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,000 per kilogram. The mutton prices go even higher during festivals due to increased demand for lamb meat.
Meat lovers from middle-class families in Hyderabad are in a quandary. They cannot touch chicken due to the fear of bird flu and they are equally worried about the fishes available in the market. They want to buy mutton but the increased prices are stopping them from splurging money on it. There’s a way out for these meat lovers – Chengicherla market.
The meat market located on the outskirts of Hyderabad is selling the mutton at surprisingly low prices compared to other markets in the city. While mutton prices in Hyderabad range between Rs. 800 and Rs. 1,000 per kilogram, Chengicherla market sells it for just Rs. 500 to Rs. 600 per kilogram.
When some product is offered at a cheaper price in the market, it is normal for consumers to suspect it. To clear such doubts, the meat sellers are slaughtering the animal in front of the customers to ensure the meat is fresh and healthy.
