Frozen meat sales growing

KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Nepal is witnessing a rapid growth in consumption of packaged food items in recent years, thanks to changing food habits of consumers amid rising disposable income. Package food items, especially frozen meat varieties, are becoming immensely popular among consumers and this has spurred department stores to add more varieties in their shelves. According to conservative estimate, the Valley consumes frozen meat varieties worth Rs 100,000 to Rs 300,000 every day.[break]



Ramji Pathak, in-charge at Bhat-Bhateni Department Store, told Republica that a large number of customers approach the store every day for packaged meat varieties. “We are selling over 278 varieties of frozen meat and 24 varieties of seafood,” Pathak said, adding, “Local consumers make up over 75 percent of our total consumers who approach us for package meat.”



Department stores operators attribute exposure of Nepalis to western cuisines, rising number of nuclear families and growth in the number of employed women to change in people´s eating habits and thus rise in demand for packaged food products.



“Unavailability of hygienic meat products in local market has induced more people to go for imported frozen meat,” said Chandra Tiwari, proprietor of Nina and Hager - a supplier and retailer of frozen meat products. “Frozen meat is free from bacteria, is processed in a very hygienic manner and has lifespan of a year.”







Tiwari told Republica that the market of frozen meat has been growing at the rage of 10 percent every year.



Nina and Hager supplies over 125 varieties of meat products to different department stores and also retail them through its outlets.



Price of frozen meat varieties ranges from Rs 188 for 260 grams of bacon to as high as Rs 2,750 for a kg of New Zealand lamb. Suppliers source these products from local market as well as from countries like Thailand, New Zealand, South Korea, Australia, Germany and India, among others.   



“Only well-off people could afford frozen meat when it was first introduced in the country. But as these products are more hygienic and not that expensive, more middle class consumers are attracted toward it,” said Antim Ranjit, manager-marketing and branding with Big Mart in NLIC City Centre.



Big Mart has over 50 varieties of frozen meat items.



“Frozen mo:mo, chicken breast, chicken wings, drumsticks, chicken mince, mutton mince, pork meat and sausage are the largest selling meat products at our store,” Pathak said.



Bhat-Bhateni also sells Australia Turkey, New Zealand lamb and beef. “These products are less popular among local consumers. But lots of foreigners approach us for these products during Christmas and New Year,” said Pathak.

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