Srinagar, Mar 19: Nearly 1,51,300 sheep have arrived in Kashmir in 890 trucks since the start of Ramadan on February 19, but the supply surge has done little to stabilise mutton prices, with markets still selling above the Rs 740 per kg rate announced by the All Kashmir Butchers Union ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
According to mutton dealers, around 30 trucks carrying sheep were arriving daily from the first day of Ramadan until March 12, with 660 trucks – carrying approximately 1,12,200 sheep – reaching the Valley in the first 20 days.
The pace picked up between March 13 and March 17, with 230 additional trucks bringing in 39,100 more sheep, taking the total to 890 trucks and approximately 1,51,300 sheep by March 17. Each truck carries approximately 170 sheep.
Despite this supply, the Butchers Union’s declared rate of Rs 740 per kg has not been adhered to in markets across the Valley. The union had earlier raised rates in March 2025 by Rs 50 per kg – from Rs 650 to Rs 700 – and the latest revision ahead of Eid has taken the official rate to Rs 740 per kg, though actual market prices have been reported higher.
