Hyderabad: Haleem makers and sellers are in quandary with the increase in the price of chicken and mutton across the state. The price increase is attributed to the heat wave conditions that results in sheep and chicken losing weight and their mortality rate increasing.
Around 10,000 haleem outlets come up across Hyderabad during the holy month of Ramzan offering various varieties of the delicacy, including chicken and mutton.
While the chicken variety is priced at Rs 35 to Rs 60 per plate, mutton haleem ranges is from Rs 80 to Rs 120 per plate, depending up on the brand.
However, this year with the price of chicken hovering around Rs 125 per kg in the retail market and Rs 98 being the wholesale price, the traders are in dilemma about pricing. “Usually, during Ramzan, the pricing is done after calculating the wages of the chef, ingredients and other expenses. The prices of chicken are skyrocketing and there will be no respite till the end of May. So, many traders are yet to decide on the pricing of haleem,” said Siddiq Ahmed, a hotelier from Misrigunj.
Venkateshwara Hatcheries general manager S. Balasubramayam said that the mortality rate is high during summer and the birds lose about 1 to 1.5 kg of weight. “The price will come down when summer ends,” he said.
Similarly, the price of mutton has also touched about Rs 600 a kg in last few weeks.
“The major haleem makers will not be affected they call for tenders and finalise the suppliers of mutton. For small traders, who source it from butcher are yet to decide on pricing the haleem. If calculated as per the current prices of mutton and other ingredients, a plate of haleem will come around to Rs 120 a kg,” said a well-known haleem maker in the city.
According to Azeemuddin, a meat supplier, there will be further increase in the prices in Ramzan because of increased consumption in households. “Hotels buy anywhere between half a quintal to two quintals every day. Many more stalls selling various varieties of mutton dishes come up during Ramzan, further increasing the demand. In addition, households buy more mutton,” he said.
Mr Azeemuddin added that during the summer, the meat also decays faster due to the heat and if happens, traders incur losses.
