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BEEF prices have steadily rose in Mutare and surrounding areas in the last two weeks owing to shortages caused by a Foot and Mouth disease outbreak in Chipinge which has resulted in supply bottlenecks. Farmers in Chiredzi and Checheche who supply cattle to abattoirs are currently banned from doing so till the Department of Veterinary Services arrest the highly contagious disease which is being spread by stray buffaloes from the Save Conservancy.
Thousands of cattle are feared to have contracted the disease and the Veterinary Services Department has banned the sale of beef products.
Cattle movement has also been restricted while affected cattle have been quarantined.
A check by this paper at abattoirs and butcheries in the city has revealed a rise in the price of beef.
Butcheries have effected a five percent price hike to match low supply levels.
The beef economy grade which was going for about $3,70 at abattoirs is now going for anything above $3,90 – a situation which has seen butcheries reselling the beef at $4,10.
A manager at a leading abattoir in Mutare who requested anonymity citing protocol said beef supplies were very low since the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak.
“We are rarely receiving meet these days from our supplies in Chipinge and Chiredzi because of the outbreak. This has resulted in a price hike, which butcheries have also passed on to consumers. Once the outbreak in contained and supplies normalise, prices will stabilise,” said the manager.
Online Reporter