Kabul Residents Shift to Chicken as Trust in Butchers Erodes

Following the revelation of illicit meat sales in Kabul and the subsequent arrest of offending butchers, residents of the city are turning to alternative sources of protein. Many households are opting for chicken instead of red meat.

Drop in Meat Consumption in Kabul after Butchers’ Arrests

Reports indicate a significant decline in meat consumption in Kabul after several butchers were detained for selling horse and donkey meat. The municipal authorities, currently under the control of the Taliban, recently arrested a number of butchers in the fourth security district for allegedly substituting lawful meat with unapproved varieties.

Zarghuna, a resident of the fourth district of Kabul, shared that her family has drastically reduced their meat intake, purchasing more chicken in place of red meat. She voiced her concerns, saying, “We are fed up with meat; who can we trust?” This has led some households to limit their meat purchases to just one or two times a month.

Concern Among Citizens Regarding Meat Quality

Khalid, a resident from the seventh district of Kabul, echoed similar sentiments, stating that he only buys meat from a trusted butcher. He expressed his fears, saying, “Now I even worry about what animal the meat comes from; I don’t feel comfortable buying it from anywhere else.” These concerns reflect a growing mistrust of butchers among the public in Kabul.

At the same time, some butchers have noted a downturn in their business and emphasized that not all butchers should be painted with the same brush. Qudrat, a butcher in the eighth district, suggested practical solutions for ensuring the quality of halal meat, stating, “The best solution would be for the government to allow the calf being slaughtered to be sold with its skin on.”

Municipality Oversight on Halal Meat Sales

The Kabul municipality has reassured the public that monitoring of halal meat sales will continue. Nematullah Barkhzi, a cultural advisor at the municipality, declared that unlawful meat has not been presented in the market and that they are diligently overseeing the matter. He remarked, “Citizens can rest assured, we are monitoring the situation and will not allow anyone to engage in such practices.”

The price of beef in Kabul is currently around 450 Afghanis per kilogram, while mutton is selling for approximately 480 Afghanis. Additionally, many families have previously been unable to afford meat due to poverty and unemployment issues.