KATHMANDU: Nepal consumes meat and meat products worth more than Rs 3 billion during the Dashain festival.
According to the Department of Livestock Services (DoLS), Nepalis are expected to consume over 390,000 tons of meat, valued at more than Rs 3 billion, during the festival. This includes a variety of meats such as goat, sheep, buffalo, mountain goat (chyangra), and fish.
Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, the information officer at the DoLS, said that more than half of this meat is imported from India and China. This highlights Nepal’s dependency on neighboring countries for its festive needs.
According to the DoLS, 54% of the total meat consumed during Dashain is goat meat, followed by buffalo (21%), chicken (17%), pork (7%), and others (1%).
In Kathmandu Valley, the daily slaughter of goats and sheep jumps significantly from around 3,000. According to Singh, approximately 50,000 goats are slaughtered in Kathmandu Valley during Dashain. “An estimated 300,000 goats are slaughtered across the country during the festival,” he added.
On a normal day, Kathmandu Valley consumes meat from 800 buffalo, 600 pigs, and around 5,000 kg of fish. “This increases by 50% during the Dashain festival,” Singh noted.
Santosh Bahadur Khatri, president of the Nepal Livestock Purchase and Sale Association, said 50,000 goats and sheep have been brought into the Kathmandu Valley specifically for Dashain. “Despite road obstructions due to floods and landslides, we’ve managed to bring around 50,000 goats and sheep for this year’s Dashain,” Khatri added.
These animals are sourced from various regions across Nepal, including the western Terai and districts such as Salyan, Surkhet, Rukum, Rolpa, Gulmi, and Arghakhanchi. Farmers from Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Udayapur, and Kavre are also bringing their livestock to sell directly in livestock markets in Kathmandu Valley.
The prices of live goats range from Rs 670 to Rs 755 per kg depending on varieties and geographical regions, while live mountain goats cost Rs 1,300 per kg.
Over 5,000 sheep and mountain goats have been brought to Kathmandu Valley from Manang and Mustang.
Despite the government’s declaration of self-sufficiency in milk, eggs, and meat production, the country continues to import over Rs 900 million worth of goats, sheep, buffalo, and mountain goats every year. According to Janak Bahadur Rawal, president of the Nepal Livestock Traders Association, fish, buffalo, and goats worth Rs 600 million are imported from India alone during Dashain.
Nepal is only self-sufficient in chicken, eggs, and pork, but not in fish, buffalo, and goats, Rawal added.
Interestingly, while most meat consumption increases during Dashain, broiler chicken sales see a significant drop.
Jang Bahadur BC, president of the National Chicken Sellers Association, said normal daily demand for broiler chicken in Kathmandu Valley stands at 300,000-350,000 kg. “However, this decreases by 50% during Dashain due to the closure of hotels, restaurants, and party venues,” he added.
