CHITWAN: Goat sales in Chitwan are expected to generate more than Rs 300 million in business during this year’s Bada Dashain festival, as demand for meat rises with the start of the festive season.
Ganesh Prasad Kandel, chairperson of the Meat Traders Association Chitwan, said more than 15,000 goats are expected to be sold in the district during Dashain alone, generating an estimated turnover of over Rs 300 million. The estimate excludes goats and sheep raised and consumed by households for their own use.
Around 10,000 goats and sheep were sold in Chitwan during Dashain last year. Traders expect sales to increase this year, citing rising demand since Ghatasthapana, which marks the beginning of the Dashain festival.
Of the more than 1,000 meat shops operating in the district, approximately 150 sell goat meat.
According to Kandel, traders in Chitwan have not imported goats and sheep from India for the past five years. Increased production by local cooperatives has reduced the need for imports, he said.
While goats raised in Chitwan are supplied to Kathmandu, the district also receives goats from Gorkha, Dhading, Nawalparasi and Tanahun to meet local demand. Live goats are currently selling for more than Rs 700 per kilogram in Chitwan, while goat meat is priced at around Rs 1,200 per kilogram.
In addition, more than 3,000 goats have entered Chitwan this year from Mustang, Jumla, Bajhang and Dolpa to meet the increased demand during the festival.
Meanwhile, chicken meat sales are expected to be comparatively lower during Dashain, with estimated turnover of around Rs 40 million.
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