Cattle Priced at Rs 186/kg for Qurbani: Government Acts to Protect Families

In response to concerns about a potential spike in the prices of imported cattle, the Cabinet's decision to cap the price at Rs 186/kg is seen as a strong measure in favor of Mauritian consumers, especially within the Muslim community as Eid-ul-Adha 2026 approaches.

While Socovia demanded a price of Rs 220/kg, the government opted to intervene to prevent an excessive increase that would have heavily burdened families. Although the price is slightly higher than last year's, the government's decision helps maintain a price that is considered more reasonable given the current economic context.

With the global rise in transportation, freight, and animal feed costs, many feared a much larger increase. By setting a ceiling at Rs 186/kg, the government sends a clear message: protecting purchasing power and ensuring the accessibility of the celebration remains a national priority.

For the Muslim community, Eid-ul-Adha is primarily a time of faith, sharing, and solidarity. Unchecked price increases would have made the sacrifice much more difficult for many families. Thanks to this Cabinet decision, more households will be able to celebrate this religious festival under better conditions, with greater peace of mind and less financial pressure.

This measure is also viewed as the state's commitment to limiting abuses and speculation, while ensuring a better balance between market realities and consumer interests.

The chairperson of the inter-ministerial committee, Shakeel Mohamed, emphasized that "the consumer's interest has been prioritized" and that the agreed price is based solely on verifiable costs. The Minister of Commerce will proceed with the necessary regulatory formalities to officially set this price, which will remain in effect for ten days after the celebration.

To arrive at this figure, the committee verified cost and freight data from the MRA customs, reconstructed the import cost structure, and applied a regulated profit margin. Several documentation inconsistencies were noted, and certain items, such as animal feed, could not be sufficiently substantiated — only duly justified charges were therefore retained.

Meanwhile, Socovia (Belle Vue) Ltd, the main importer, issued a statement contesting this decision, arguing that Rs 186/kg is "significantly below the cost price" submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and that this price is "commercially unviable" and will result in heavy financial losses for them.

Additionally, the committee recommends establishing standardized cost models for future imports, mandating detailed records in farms, and promoting local livestock farming to reduce dependence on imports. The Competition Commission could be notified in case of abuse of dominant position.