Kathmandu, September 30

Nepal Food Management and Trade Company Ltd (NFMTC) set the price for live goats and mountain goats for Dashain and Tihar festivals today.

The government has set the price of live goats at Rs 550 per kg while the price for mountain goats and sheep has been set at Rs 730 per kg.

Considering the convenience of consumers, the government is providing live goats and mountain goats at a lower rate compared to the private traders. Currently, private traders have set the minimum price for live goats, mountain goats and sheep between Rs 650 per kg and Rs 700 per kg.

As per the state-owned company, only one goat will be provided to one family for the festive season. The government has a plan to sell around 2,500 goats for the festive season through NFMTC and has started importing goats. Likewise, the company will also sell around 2,500 mountain goats.

According to the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, around 3,000 goats and mountain goats have already arrived and will be available in fair price shops of NFMTC from Tuesday.

Nepal imports around 40,000 to 50,000 goats during the festive season. While on an average, around 20,000 to 25,000 units of goats are supplied to the market through local production, the number is expected to rise this year.

During the festivals, consumption within the valley alone hovers around 1,800 goats, mountain goats and sheep per day in Dashain. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the per capita consumption of goat meat annually stands at 11 kg in Nepal. Currently, around 500 to 600 goats are being supplied daily in the market.