Mutton scales 1,000/kg-peak thanks to Dol-Holi demand

Kolkata: The city saw a sharp rise in meat prices on Wednesday, with long queues outside chicken and mutton shops across several neighbourhoods. With Holi celebrations traditionally accompanied by elaborate non-vegetarian meals, many residents lined up early to secure supplies. In the late afternoon, many shops had to down shutters after the stock was sold out. The price of mutton climbed steeply, touching nearly Rs 1,000 per kg at several markets, with demand outpacing supply. Dressed chicken, which sold for Rs 180–Rs 190 per kg earlier in the week, jumped to about Rs 300 per kg on Wednesday. However, prices did not uniformly reach the Rs 1,000 mark. In some pockets, the mutton price hovered around Rs 900–Rs 950.
Tuesday's Dol Utsav coincided with a lunar eclipse, prompting many households to avoid cooking or eating non-vegetarian food that day. As a result, the demand that was held back surfaced strongly the following day. For many Kolkatans, preparing traditional ‘mangsho-bhaat' (rice with mutton curry) during the Holi period remains an annual ritual. Across the city, residents were seen waiting outside neighbourhood mutton and chicken outlets to purchase meat for the occasion.Shopkeepers said the surge in prices was inevitable given the sudden spike in demand. "We are seeing far more customers than usual this week. With supplies limited, prices have naturally gone up," said Rafiq Ahmed, who runs a meat shop at Phoolbagan.Many buyers expressed surprise at the sharp jump. "We expected some increase because of the festival, but this is much higher than usual," said Anirban Chatterjee, who was waiting outside a shop in the Lake Gardens area.Restaurant owners and home-based caterers also felt the pinch. "We fixed our festive menu prices earlier, assuming the usual seasonal rise. With mutton now at Rs 1,000 a kg, our margins have shrunk considerably," said catering entrepreneur Madhumita Das.Some residents anticipated the surge and purchased meat earlier in the week. "I bought mine on Monday morning for about Rs 840 per kg," said Subhajit Roy from Chetla.In some areas, queues reportedly stretched late into the afternoon as people waited for their turn. Others opted for alternatives like duck or country chicken while a section of buyers turned to online meat delivery platforms.Demand for mutton typically rises during Holi in Bengal, but traders say the increase is usually modest. This year's sharp spike reflected the combined effect of festival demand and the deferring of non-vegetarian consumption due to the eclipse. "There were supply constraints too, largely from Bihar," said Gurfan Sheikh, a goat-trader.In many parts of Bengal, the day after Holi is associated with festive meals that often include meat dishes. Rathin Ghosh, a cultural historian, said such practices evolved over centuries. "For many families, the post-Holi meal is less about ritual and more about sharing a feast with relatives and friends," said art-collector Arunima Seth, a Bhawanipore resident.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !