Meat prices are expected to increase in the coming days in Damascus, Syria, which is concerning news for the budgets of Syrian citizens. The Butchers Association, in collaboration with the Damascus Supply Directorate, is preparing to propose a new price list for meat. According to the president of the Butchers Association, Mohammad Yahya Al-Khan, the current prices of meat are no longer sustainable due to the rising costs of production. They intend to raise prices to reflect the actual costs of meat production. The previous prices, which were around 30,000 Syrian pounds per kilogram of live meat, are no longer sufficient to cover current production costs.

Currently, Damascus is experiencing a sharp decline in the availability of meat, with a very limited number of daily slaughters, averaging around 500 sheep. Surprisingly, the meat being sold as veal is actually beef, as there is a shortage of daily slaughtered veal. The price per kilogram of veal is currently 160,000 Syrian pounds, while the price of live meat ranges between 60,000 and 65,000 Syrian pounds, and the price of live cattle ranges between 50,000 and 55,000 Syrian pounds.

The increase in meat prices is attributed to the rising costs of breeding and production, making it difficult for farmers to bear these high costs. The Butchers Association expects lamb meat to be available in the markets within a few weeks.

The majority of the population finds itself in a difficult situation, unable to afford the high prices of red meat. Alternatives to meat are gaining increasing attention among Syrians, with some turning to mushrooms as a substitute for red meat, while others rely on processed industrial products made from soybeans or artificially processed meat remnants, using artificial flavors such as MSG. These alternatives provide a temporary solution to the problem of protein deficiency in the diet of citizens who are affected by the high meat prices.

As tensions and anticipation continue in Damascus, everyone is wondering about the impact of the increase in meat prices on people's lives and their ability to secure their basic food needs. Given these new developments, the question remains about the future of the meat industry in Syria and the government measures that will be taken to protect consumer rights and provide meat at reasonable and affordable prices for everyone.