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Dhaka’s Beef Market Faces Volatility as Prices Rise Despite Previous Commitments
In the capital, the cost of beef has once again surged by Tk50 to Tk100 per kilogram, a month after meat traders initially announced a reduction to Tk650 amidst skyrocketing prices. Despite the December 6 decision by meat traders to cap the price at Tk650, with hints of a potential increase post-general elections, the fixed price has not been fully implemented. Presently, beef is being retailed between Tk700 to Tk750 per kilogram in most kitchen markets and chain shops in Dhaka.
Traders attribute the sudden price hike to increased nationwide demand for beef during the elections, coupled with a surge in marriage ceremonies during December-January. Additionally, the cost of cattle has witnessed an upward trend. Some traders have responded to the financial strain by either reducing meat sales or temporarily closing their shops.
Meat trader Md Swapan from the Banasree area expressed concerns about the financial viability, citing the purchase cost of a 100-120 kg cow at Tk700 to Tk710 per kilogram, resulting in losses when the selling price is Tk650. Consequently, some traders have resorted to shutting down their businesses.
A recent survey of various locations in Dhaka revealed super shops, including Swapna and Meena Bazar, selling beef at Tk720 to Tk730 per kilogram, with prices reaching Tk750 in local shops. Traders assert their inability to adhere to the fixed price due to inadequate funds arising from the escalating wholesale price of cattle.
Golam Murtaza, President of the Bangladesh Meat Traders Association, announced plans for a meeting to discuss and declare a new price, as selling beef at the current rate is deemed unfeasible. The announcement follows internal divisions among meat traders after the initial decision to reduce prices. Despite a subsequent agreement to maintain the Tk650 price until January 7, most traders continued selling beef at Tk700 per kilogram from the outset, causing consumer demand to surge.
Consumers flooded beef shops upon the price reduction announcement, further boosting demand. While a subsequent meeting was planned to review cattle and beef prices, the cost has surged again prior to the deadline. At Karwan Bazar kitchen market, a mix of traders continued selling beef at Tk650, while others charged Tk750.
Golam Murtaza highlighted the losses faced by traders selling meat at fixed prices and emphasized that consumers were initially buying beef at Tk620-Tk630 per kilogram, which has now risen to Tk700 or more. Contrary to the rising prices, AHM Shafiquzzaman, the Director General of DNCRP, contemplates a further reduction to Tk500 to alleviate consumer burden.
In a recent visit to Khalil’s meat shop in Rampura on January 1, where beef was being sold at Tk590, Shafiquzzaman acknowledged the market pressure signaled by Khalil’s price reduction. He encouraged others to follow suit to stabilize the market without undue pressure.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
