Key Takeaways:

• Mustang chyangra sales begin in Sallaghari ahead of Dashain
• Prices have risen by around Rs 3,000 per animal from last year
• Damaged roads and bridges increased transport costs and delays
• Chyangra selling for Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,300 per kg in Bhaktapur market

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 15 Mustang chyangra have started arriving in Kathmandu Valley markets ahead of Dashain, but rain-damaged roads and bridges have driven up transport costs and pushed prices higher than last year. Live-weight chyangra are currently selling for Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,300 per kilogram at Sallaghari in Bhaktapur, one of the Valley's main seasonal livestock markets. Traders say prices have increased by around Rs 3,000 per animal compared with last year's festival season. For traders, getting the animals from Mustang to Kathmandu proved more challenging than selling them. Flood damage along major routes forced them to use excavators and tipper trucks to move chyangra across damaged roads and bridges, adding to transport expenses and delays. Veteran trader Mekh Bahadur Nepal, who has been involved in the business for more than three decades, said he has tried to keep prices close to last year's levels despite rising costs. He has brought chyangra to Sallaghari after also supplying animals to traders at Kalanki livestock market. Sales began this week as consumers across the Kathmandu Valley started looking for chyangra meat, a traditional Dashain choice, with traders expecting demand to increase as the festival approaches.