Beef price can be brought down by a large margin
BEEF is a source of complete protein that comes with its salivating taste. There was a time when even poor people in Bangladesh could buy beef occasionally because its price was low.
Beef prices are still very low in our neighbouring countries. But now, it is the middle class people that buy beef occasionally and poor people can no longer afford to buy it as it sells at taka 750-780 per kilogram.
They depend on broiler chicken for meat protein and it is during Eid ul Azha they get some beef for it as charity.
In recent times, why the beef price is so high in Bangladesh has remained in the discussion of people. According to farmers, beef prices are high because cow feed is high. Though this is partly true, the butchers’ syndicates are also largely responsible for the price hike.
Against this backdrop, the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) announced yesterday that they would sell beef at a price of Tk 50 per kg lower than the current price of beef being sold in the Dhaka market.
The Directorate of Consumer Affairs organised a workshop at National Press Club in association with BDFA on the necessary steps to bring the price of beef within the buying range.
On a positive note, the farmers announced a reduction in the price of beef by taka 50. If the association could keep its words, then the beef price should sell at taka 700-730 per kilogram in the capital.
Surprisingly, at this workshop, BDFA president Md Imran Hossain revealed that it is possible to bring down the beef price to Tk 500-550 if steps are taken in the short, medium and long term.
Though he talked about the fact that through caste/breed development of cows it is possible to reduce the price by 20-25 per cent, the fact is under the present circumstances beef indeed can be sold at a much lower price.
During the last Ramzan, the story of a butcher in Bogura known as ‘Kalu Kosai’ drew the attention of the nation as he sold beef at a much lower price, Tk 580 per kg, at his shop of the district’s Gabtali upazila. Despite selling beef at this price, he could make a profit.
Therefore, if profiteering by people involved in beef business from farming of cows to selling of beef at retail butcher shops, there is no reason why the beef price would not come down all over the country.
