VISAKHAPATNAM: A rise in the prices of ingredients such as mutton, ghee, and spices , coupled with high labour costs, has made Haleem slightly dearer this Ramzan. More than ten Haleem stalls have been set up in parts of Vizag city.
With the cost of the ingredients for the delicacy increasing, some of the purveyors of the product in Vizag city increased the prices by 15 to 25 per cent while few others did not wish to pass on the burden to their customers.
A bowl of mutton Haleem, which cost Rs160 to Rs180 last Ramzan season is now priced between Rs180 and Rs250, depending on the stall.
Speaking to TOI, Sheikh Zuber of Dil Se hyderabadi Haleem, most popular Haleem stalls in Vizag city, said they have been serving authentic Hyderabadi Haleem for more than a decade in Vizag city. Despite the increasing prices of ingredients, we did not hike the prices of the Haleem.
A plate of mutton Haleem (small) priced at Rs180 and the medium pack of mutton Haleem priced at Rs350 and the family pack at Rs600. The plate of chicken haleem is priced at Rs120 (small plate), Rs200 (medium plate) and Rs350 (family pack), Zuber added.
The owners of the Haleem stalls in the city brought in Haleem masters from Hyderabad for preparation of the delicious seasonal dish. We have no option than to increase the price of the Haleem by 15 to 25 per cent as the price of the mutton increased to Rs800 to Rs950 per kg and the other ingredients for the dish has increased by 20 to 30 per cent, they added.
While there are no official statistics on the number of haleem stalls serving the dish, the haleem businessmen said that the number is more than 15 in Vizag city and it may increase as the demand for the Haleem has been increasing for the past one decade.
Some restaurants that have started sales say they have been doing brisk business for the past few days . Most of the haleem lovers are non-Muslims. The higher price of haleem this season owing to rising concerns of hygiene and health, they added.
Even before the commencement of Ramzan month, the haleem stall opened in Vizag city. Compared to previous years, the number of haleem stalls most likely to be more this year.
Apart from the haleem, the stalls are also Hyderabadi style dum biryani, double ka meetha, kaddu kheer, kurbani sweet while few others are also offering Payya and roti in the month.
Haleem is rich in nutrients and it is a seasonal dish. We relished the dish on Saturday (March 1) and will continue to eat the dish till the end of Ramzan months, said V Ganesh and D Sudhakar.