Bangalore has lion’s share in state’s meat consumption

Contrary to the popular belief that more and more people are turning vegetarian in the city, India’s Silicon Valley may soon become the meat hub of the state. Reports suggest that majority of the meat produced in the state is consumed by Bangaloreans.

According to the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services, about 30% of the meat produced in the state is sold in
Bangalore.

The city consumes 33,312 tonnes of red meat and about 5,825 tonnes of poultry meat in a year. The total production of meat in the state is about 1,14,520 tonnes.  

The consumption of mutton in the city has increased from about 10,050 tonnes in 2004-2005 to about 13,800 tonnes in 2008-2009, while that of beef has decreased from about 1,270 tonnes to about 925 tonnes.

But shop owners say that the trend is reversing. “The price of mutton has increased drastically in the past few months and this has hiked the demand for cattle meat two fold,” said an officer in the animal husbandry department.

According to the report available in the department, the average price of mutton was Rs200 per kg, and that of beef was Rs90 in the year 2008-2009.

Though meat consumption has increased across the state in the past few years, many shop owners complain that the state government is doing nothing to promote the commodity.

“The government has taken many initiatives like setting up Hopcoms (Horticultural Producers Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society) to promote the sale of vegetables and fruits, but it has done nothing so far to encourage the sale of meat,” said the officer.