DSCC fixes meat prices for Ramadan

The prices of beef, buffalo meat and mutton (goat and sheep) have been fixed at Tk 475, Tk 440, Tk 725 and Tk 620 respectively per kilogramme for nearly the whole of Ramadan, which, based on moon sighting, is likely to start at the end of this month.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), including Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon, fixed the prices sitting with meat merchants in Nagar Bhaban yesterday.

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However, the rates would not come into effect between 27th Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, leaving  scope for traders to charge as they like capitalising on the festival when the country sees the highest amount of meat consumption after Eid-ul-Azha.

DSCC Chief Executive Officer Khan Mohammad Bilal said the meat merchants' association promised to follow the price chart in all of Dhaka. Last year, the prices were fixed at Tk 420, Tk 400, Tk 570 and Tk 470 respectively.

Market visits yesterday revealed varying prices. One Selim Ahmed who bought beef at Shankar at Tk 520 said, “It has become dearer day by day."

In Kaptanbazar, both beef and buffalo meat were selling at Tk 500. One butcher there, requesting anonymity, said buffalo meat got priority as it was less likely to cause allergic reactions. The price was being settled amidst low supply against high demand, he added.

Expressing doubts over whether the rates fixed would be followed, one customer, Shahinur Islam, at Kaptanbazar said, “The decision actually benefits businessmen. From now on, no butcher will sell beef below Tk 475.”  

Bilal said DSCC has already formed five committees to monitor compliance with the rates. “We will request DNCC [Dhaka North City Corporation] to form similar committees,” he said.

Robiul Alam, secretary general of Bangladesh Meat Merchants' Association, said they would ask members to hang the price list in their shops.