Sheep prices soar as Gandhi Jayanti closure adds to Dasara demand

SHEEP and goat prices have nearly doubled across the state ahead of Dasara, with sellers and consumers pointing to the state government's insistence on closing slaughterhouses for Gandhi Jayanti as one of the reasons for the steep hike.

- U MAHESH @Warangal

On ordinary days, a 10-kg sheep costs around ₹6,500. Ahead of the festival, prices have touched ₹12,000. Goat and sheep meat, which usually sells for ₹800 a kilo, is now being retailed at ₹1,200, traders said.

The sharp rise is attributed not only to the seasonal demand for Ayudha Puja and Vijayadasami rituals, but also to the closure of abattoirs on October 2. With Gandhi Jayanti coinciding with Dasara, meat shops are forced to shut, pushing buyers to advance their purchases by paying inflated rates.