Covid, pricey mutton haunt haleem makers

Haleem prices went up by 30-40 per cent this year from the rates prevailed in 2019 thanks to high mutton price. A regular haleem pack, which used to cost around Rs 170 couple of years ago, is now priced at 240. In the same breath, the price of family pack went up from Rs 700 to Rs 950

Hyderabad: As the country is witnessing the second wave of deadly Covid-19 pandemic, Hyderabad-based haleem makers seem to be staring at losses for the second year in a row. Last year, haleem makers suffered losses as the festival delicacy went off plate due to the Covid-induced lockdown. They were expecting revival in business this year after the government started administering vaccines. Unfortunately, the second wave has dampened their spirits.

"We did not sell haleem last year because of the lockdown. We are preparing the delicacy this year. But it's very unlikely that there will be demand for haleem due to Covid's 2nd wave. However, we are hopeful of minimum sales unlike zero sales last year," Jaleel Rooz, Owner of Grand Hotel and member of Hyderabad Haleem Makers Association, told Bizz Buzz.

Branded haleem makers like Pista House began the sales earlier this week. Though franchise-based sellers have started receiving orders online, the numbers, they say, are encouraging. Small eateries are reluctant to invest efforts and money on this seasonal cuisine as they fear losses.

Apart from coronavirus, rising mutton prices and other input costs are also holding back the haleem makers. In the last one year, mutton price has increased to Rs 720 from Rs 600 per kilogram. As a result, Hyderabadi haleem prices also skyrocketed by 30-40 per cent from the rates prevailed in 2019 thanks to high input costs. A regular haleem pack, which used to cost around Rs 170 couple of years ago, is now priced at 240. In the same breath, the price of family pack went up from Rs 700 to Rs 950.

Praveen Kumar, Manager of Pista House at AS Rao Nagar, said: "We have no other option expect increasing prices as prices of mutton and groceries used in haleem making have gone up. We produce haleem on a mass scale and dispatch it to other places. We are getting take-away orders this year".

Another haleem maker, who has more than five branches in Hyderabad, said: "Though we sell 365 days in a year, our outlets were totally shut down due to Covid during last Ramzan. This year, the customers are ordering more online than at take-away counters. They may be hesitating to visit restaurants during this pandemic period." We will scale up production depending on the demand. Our franchise sellers are also not placing large orders. We have clients in other cities, but scope is less, he added. Haleem lovers are also disappointed lot. "I always enjoyed haleem in Hyderabad. That first piping hot haleem of the season was like the first day-first show of your favorite hero's movie. I was hoping last year would be the only non-haleem year for me, but the second wave seems to be proving me wrong by confining me to Siddipet this Ramzan month as well," said K Virinchi Reddy, a haleem lover.