Demand for meat product soars in Dashain

By Sapana Thami, Kathmandu, Oct.3: The demand for meat products has increased significantly as Dashain has knocked on the door. 

Around 200,000 young he-goats and castrated he-goats are usually brought to the Kathmandu Valley from other parts of the country. Previously, around 50,000 goats were brought to Kathmandu in October and November.

Information Officer of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Sudhir Kumar Singh, Dr Singh said, "Around 200,000 young he-goats and castrated he-goats are brought to Kathmandu in a year. Around 50,000 are brought in the month of October targeting Dashain." 

He said, "Nepal has become self-sufficient in producing young he-goats and castrated he-goats, cocks, hens and fishes. The situation of importing animals for Dashain from other countries has ended. Around 900 mountain goats (Chyangra) are imported from the northern border." 

 Information officer of the Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) Sharmila Neupane Subedi said, "Like previous years, this year also we are planning to purchase he-goats, mountain goats and castrated he-goats and sell in the Kathmandu Valley through its Thapathali-based office in the Dashain festival. We have already corresponded with other districts. Preparations are under to collect animals from Hetauda, Tulasipur, Nawalpur, and Mustang."

She said that FMTC would bring 1,500 goats for this Dashain. 

The rate of the living young he-goat and castrated he-goat is around Rs 650 to 700 per kilo while the rate of goat meat per kg in the market is around Rs 1,300-1,400.