DHARMAPURI/ COIMBATORE: With the LPG crisis looming across the country, meat vendors across Dharmapuri have faced setbacks, with wholesale purchase of meat reduced by more than 50%. Vendors attribute the loss to many local eateries and fast food joints closing down due to the lack of commercial cylinders.
A crucial part of the rural economy in Dharmapuri, the meat trade is fuelled by fast food joints set up along the roads and the numerous eateries across the district. FSSAI data shows that there are over 1,302 eateries, bakeries and fast food joints functioning in the five taluks across the district. But with the onset of the LPG crisis, nearly 40% of these businesses have been shut down. Meat vendors have been directly hit and have reported a dip in wholesale meat sales by more than 60%.
S Wasim Ahmed, a meat vendor near Avvaiyar government school in Dharmapuri, said, "I usually sell about 130 kg to 150 kg of mutton daily for wholesale purchase, which is usually about six or seven goats. I used to make about Rs 250 to Rs 300 profit per goat -- which ensured a stable and secure income. But, retail consumption is fickle, and the market changes daily. While it offers better profits, it is not stable. During auspicious days, many refrain from consuming meat."
V Settu from Sengodipuram said, "I mainly sell poultry, about 170 to 200 kg per day in wholesale, to almost eight eateries and fast food joints. Now six are closed as LPG costs about Rs 5,600 per cylinder, which has affected the wholesale of poultry."
M Selvaraj said, "There is a severe risk of prices of goats and sheep also being affected. If the demand drops, so will the price of meat. In Dharmapuri, most goats and sheep are sold to local vendors, and if they stop buying, it directly affects the local economy. Right now, a 15 kg goat is sold for Rs 12,000 to Rs 14,000. Farmers will face severe losses, especially since most rely on selling livestock for emergency needs like school fees or medical needs."
A Ashwin, a staff at a chicken stall in Ramanathapuram said, "Due to LPG shortage and subsequent closure/menu cut in hotels, quantity of broiler chicken supply to hotels have been reduced. Except the supply to hotel, there is no reduction to domestic sales."
As on April 3, the Palladam Broiler Rate was Rs 92 per kg (live). Retail chicken was sold at Rs 220 per kg. If customers make bulk purchase of more than five kg, the price was reduced to Rs 190 per kg in retail shop.
V Loganathan, who runs mutton stall in Coimbatore said, "The LPG supply issue hit the supply of mutton to hotels. Hotels have reduced their quantity of purchase as they have cut off the dishes in menu."
G Balathandayuthapani, who runs a non-veg eatery (Sugi food) in Coimbatore said, "I have reduced dishes in menu list. LPG cylinder is sold at the cost of Rs 5000 per cylinder. But, I cannot manage the input cost."
When TNIE reached out to officials, they said, "We have conducted talks with IOCL and other private gas companies like Go Gas. They have assured us that 70% of the commercial supply would be regulated in the upcoming few days."