With Ugadi and Eid around the corner, Bengaluru is bracing for a sharp rise in mutton and chicken prices. Vendors predict that chicken rates will escalate by ₹10-₹15 per kilogram, while mutton might surge by ₹50, pushing prices up to ₹900 per kilo in some localities.

At present, skinless chicken is available between ₹200 and ₹220 per kilo, while mutton has been selling for ₹800-₹850 over the past week. According to Shahbaz, a trader from Cox Town market, the cost of mutton is bound to touch ₹900 shortly due to soaring demand.

The recent bird flu outbreak in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh has significantly affected chicken sales, prompting many buyers to shift their preference to mutton. A well-known meat supplier noted that poultry sales have dropped by nearly 10% due to these health concerns.

Shahbaz also pointed out that traders from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh frequently purchase sheep from Karnataka, transport them to their states, and retail the meat at ₹1,000 per kilogram, yielding substantial profits. In central parts of Bengaluru, mutton prices already fluctuate between ₹800 and ₹850, whereas in areas like Marathahalli and Bellandur, they have already reached ₹900.

Despite the price hike, vendors in markets like Russell Market and Johnson Market believe the inflation will be short-lived, with rates normalizing after the festive season.