Haleem vendors in the city, surely have every reason to be happy this season. But Bhattis (cooks) who dish out chicken Haleem are a happier lot, as low chicken prices, and rise in mutton and beef prices are boosting their sales.
Mutton Haleem is priced at `90 at most places in Hyderabad, while beef Haleem is priced at `70 per plate, technically a single serving. However, chicken Haleem price falls anywhere between `20-45.
“There is definitely much improvement from last year, and sales are up this time for chicken Haleem,” said Abdul Rahman, who works at the M.M. Haleem outlet in Koti. He mentioned that as chicken prices are relatively low, they are able to sell a single plate of the delicacy at just `20, and a full plate at just `30.
Azam, who owns the A1 Haleem outlet at Koti is a happy man this Ramzan, as he has been selling more than 20 Kgs of chicken Haleem since the first day of the holy month. He claims that the sales have gone up by more than 30 per cent this year. Adding to this, was Meraj Hasan, who works at the A1 Haleem stall. “Although it is Shravan, and a lot of customers avoid eating Haleem or meat during this year, sales are still stronger,” he mentioned.
In other areas like Musheerabad, bhatti owners who sold mutton or beef Haleem last year are selling chicken Haleem this year. Like Mujeeb Ali, who said, “If you look at the price, it is much more economical. Even if sales are just okay, my expenses are not so high, so chicken Haleem it is,” he said.
Beef Halee, popularly known as Kalyani Haleem in the old city, costs `Rs. 50 a single plate, and `70 - 80 a full plate. “Except stores like Pista House and Shah Ghouse, all other outlets in the city are hit with low sales, as prices have been on the higher side,” lamented Mohd. Hafeez who sells beef Haleem at Firdous Hotel in Chaderghat.