Daily Times

The sale of slaughtering knives, choppers, wooden blocks and barbecue tools has remained brisk throughout the week leading to the Eid day despite inflated prices, a roundup of city markets shows.

Infact, the high demand of these tools has led to makeshift markets along roadsides where vendors have set up their stalls.

At these stalls and in markets, the prices of slaughtering tools have registered around 20 to 30 percent increase, compared to the preceding months.

The shopkeepers refer to the overall price inflation to justify revised rates.

A medium-sized knife can be found at these stalls between Rs400 and Rs550 per piece, blades are available between Rs650 and Rs750 per piece, while knives made of stainless steel are available in the range of Rs675 and Rs850.

Choppers of different sized can be bought from city markets, depending on their weights and the kind of iron used in their manufacturing between Rs400 and Rs450 per kilogramme.

Blacksmiths have also seen a surge in their business as butchers throng their shops to get their knives sharpened. In a survey, Daily Times learnt that the rates charged for sharpening of knives have been revised upwards by around 50 per cent on the pretext of frequent power outages. The cost of sharpening of a normal-sized knife is between Rs 200 and Rs 400 this year. A stallholder said the business would gain momentum on the night of Eid since many customers were expected to turn up for sharpening of knives on the last minute.

Sabir Shah, a member of the blacksmiths and domestic tools making association at Empress Market, told Daily Times that the prices of tools used for slaughtering, cutting and cooking of meat had increased by 30 to 40 percent this year as compared to the previous year.

He said medium-weight rods used in barbecue were priced at Rs 400 to Rs 650 per dozen, while the per dozen price of thicker rods was around Rs400 to Rs500 this year. “We were compelled to readjust prices of our tools because of inflationary conditions and high cost of raw materials,” he said.

Meanwhile, coal block prices have also doubled compared to the last year due to higher than usual demand for barbeque meals. The prices range from Rs200 to Rs 220 per kilogramme, while crushed coal is available for around Rs125 to Rs 250 per kilogramme.

The prices of machines used to mince meat range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,800, depending on their product numbers.

Published in Daily Times, August 22^nd 2018.