Kozhikode: With the flow of cattle from other states coming to a halt, the price of beef went up across the state, according to market sources. The price which was around Rs 240 went up to Rs 280 in several parts within two days of the ban on cattle sale.
Soon after the ban on cattle sale, even trucks that were moving with cattle were stopped in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. A beef merchant in Sulthan Bathery, Zachariya Mannil told DC that the price was increasing as the market was facing a shortage of cattle. “There are a few lucky ones who purchased sufficient cattle anticipating the high demand during the Ramadan season”, he said, adding that the beef had been priced arbitrarily in rural areas as there were only a few outlets.
“In cities there are more outlets where the industry is more regulated”, he added. “Without cattle from other states we will not be able to fulfill the demand in the state”, he added.
Ajmal Ahammed, a meat trader of Edavanna, told DC that the demand would be higher in the coming days as there were only local farmer suppliers able to sell cattle. “Till date we have survived as we had sufficient stocks. But now we are groping in the dark”, he added.
Sangh Parivar organizations which have been already extracting huge sums of money from cattle traders who transport cattle to the state, have now started torturing them, it was pointed out.
The shortage of cattle has also provided a good price for a few cattle farmers. Many of them are hesitant to sell the stock anticipating an increased price in the coming days.
