We’ve ‘goat’ enough: Abdul Kadir said stock for mutton is adequate for the upcoming Hari Raya. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Prices of chicken and beef have been inching up as the Ramadan fasting month and Hari Raya Aidilfitri approach.
The price of mutton, though, is holding steady, according to several sellers interviewed by The Star.
Stocks are abundant, but retailers say it is not unusual for prices to rise as festive seasons draw near because of related costs like logistics and cold storage.
Chicken trader Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Abdul Kalam, 34, said he has no issue with the slaughtered chicken supply.
“Since the removal of subsidies on chicken last year, the price of poultry has stabilised,” he said at his stall at Chowrasta Market.
But he said the price of chicken could increase in the last week of Ramadan and urged consumers to stock up early.
Mohamad Nasir said he currently sells chicken at between RM9 and RM10 per kg.
On Nov 1 last year, the government lifted the chicken subsidy to reduce the leakage of subsidies that have been enjoyed by foreigners and high-income groups.
Abdul Aziz Sinda, 62, who sells local and imported beef at Chowrasta Market, said as of now, he has no problems with the beef supply, but he had to recently raise the price of 1kg of imported beef to RM25 compared with RM20 to RM24 earlier.
He said the reason for the price increase of imported beef was due to the weak ringgit lately.
“But at least the price of local beef has not changed and remains at RM40 per kg,” he added.
The price of imported mutton, though, has held steady at RM45 per kg, said butcher Abdul Kadir Hassan, 80.
“Mutton is the meat of mature sheep, and it is really a by-product because sheep are primarily reared for their wool.”
The price of local goat meat, said Abdul Kadir, is steady at a premium of RM65 per kg, which is a factor that causes consumers to rarely eat local goat meat.
