Meat prices rise marginally in wake of rains
Burma.
Wholesale prices for beef at Burma market have risen marginally and suppliers are blaming the short rains.
A kilo of beef which normally goes for Sh280 has shot up by between Sh10 and Sh20 depending on the supplier.
“It is currently raining in in Narok and Kajiado counties where we get most of our supplies and the sellers are keeping off the market,” said Stephen Kariuki, Burma Market Traders Association Chairman.
He explains that pastoralists normally trade off their cattle during sunny weather to save them the burden of searching for pastures for the animals.
“This has been the situation for the past two weeks but we expect prices to go back to normal in a month’s time,” he said.
Burma market is the main supply point of beef in Nairobi’s eastlands area.
Peter Odero, the market’s security officer, said the number of customers at the market has declined for the past few days.
“The number of clients coming to the market has reduced. Buyers have stayed away due to the hiked prices,” he said.
Most butchers in the estates have however opted to bear the loss.
Titus Mwaura, a butcher at Donholm said increasing the price will translate to a bigger loss because clients will opt for other meals other than beef.
“We decided to let the price hikes eat into our profit to maintain confidence of our clients,” said Mr Mwaura, noting that the hard times will only last a month.