Caterers raise rates ahead of Ashura

Prices of essential items also soar amid heightened demand

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi's food catering businesses have jacked up the rates of their services against the backdrop of high demand during Muharram days.

As Ashura draws closer, demand for cauldrons of popular dishes such as biryani, pulao, haleem, and korma increases as faithful feed mourners and other people during majalis (religious gatherings) and processions.

Besides, the prices of essential ingredients like rice, chicken, garlic, onion, tomato, meat, minced meat, and spices have also witnessed an increase.

Starting from 7th Muharram until Ashura, prominent catering businesses have temporarily stopped accepting reservations between 12pm and 4pm.

Customers purchasing a cauldron of 10kgs of rice and chickpeas have to pay Rs9,000, while 10kgs of biryani costs Rs17,000. Similarly, 10 kgs of chicken pulao is priced at Rs16,500, and 10 kgs of chicken korma costs Rs17,500. Whereas, 10 kgs of beef korma costs Rs8,000, beef pulao is priced at Rs18,000, and the same amount of mutton korma costs Rs18,500.

The catering shops, despite the steep price hike, are witnessing a surge in demand.

Acknowledging the overwhelming demand, Faisal Abbasi, the owner of a local catering outlet, has hired additional resources and stocked up on essential ingredients like rice and chickpeas. Due to the escalating demand, the price of rice and chickpeas has risen significantly to Rs430 and Rs440 per kg, respectively. Moreover, chicken prices have also surged by Rs15 to Rs20 per kg.

The Grocery Shop Union Secretary Azmat Mehmood attributed the rise in prices to the heightened demand during this season.

Poultry Union Secretary General Nadir Khan predicted that chicken prices will continue to rise until Ashura due to the increased demand and limited supply.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2023.