Government Imposes Livestock Price Cap of Rs 186 for Eid-ul-Adha

In a move to curb “abusive” market inflation, the Mauritian government has officially set the price of livestock at Rs 186 per kilogram for the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha festival.

The announcement was made on Friday, 8 May, by Shakeel Mohamed, the Minister of Housing and Lands, following a press briefing.

Minister Mohamed, acting as chairman of the interministerial committee overseeing festival preparations, confirmed that this regulated price will remain strictly in effect until ten days after the religious celebrations.

Intervention Against Price Hikes

The state intervention follows a formal proposal from livestock importers who sought to fix the price at Rs 220 per kilogram.

The government rejected this higher rate, choosing instead to implement a ceiling to protect consumers during a window of intense market demand.

Allegations of Market Anomalies

The interministerial committee reported the discovery of several “anomalies” regarding both the importation and the commercialisation of cattle.

Minister Mohamed indicated that these findings played a role in the decision to regulate the market more tightly.

Legal Recourse for Operators

Addressing potential backlash from the private sector, the Minister noted that operators who wish to contest the price cap are “free to take legal action.”

However, the government maintained that the current measures are necessary to prevent exploitation in the lead-up to the festival.

Source: Defi Media