As of March 13, 2025, beef prices in Pakistan continue to fluctuate due to seasonal demand, production costs, and economic factors, impacting households, butchers, and restaurants nationwide. According to the latest data from pricenews.com.pk, farmghar.com, and numbeo.com, the current retail price of beef in Pakistan ranges between PKR 1,200 and PKR 1,600 per kilogram, depending on location, quality (boneless or bone-in), and market conditions. This article provides a detailed breakdown of today’s beef rates, regional variations, and the factors influencing the livestock market in March 2025.
Current Beef Prices in Pakistan (March 13, 2025)
- Karachi: Boneless beef is priced at approximately PKR 1,400–1,600/kg, while bone-in beef ranges from PKR 1,200–1,400/kg, as reported by pricenews.com.pk. These rates reflect retail prices at local markets, with slight variations due to vendor markups.
- Lahore: According to farmghar.com’s livestock market updates, boneless beef costs around PKR 1,350–1,550/kg, and bone-in beef is available for PKR 1,200–1,450/kg. Prices may differ based on freshness and supplier demand.
- Islamabad: Beef prices are slightly higher, with boneless cuts averaging PKR 1,450–1,600/kg and bone-in beef ranging from PKR 1,250–1,500/kg, as per local market reports cited by pricenews.com.pk.
- Rural Areas: In smaller cities and rural regions, prices are generally lower, averaging PKR 1,100–1,400/kg for bone-in beef and PKR 1,300–1,500/kg for boneless, due to reduced transportation costs and direct farm access, according to sciencedirect.com’s 2025 livestock analysis.
These figures represent fresh, locally sourced beef, with frozen or imported options potentially costing more. Prices can vary daily, so consumers are encouraged to check local butcher shops, livestock markets, or online platforms for real-time updates.
Factors Driving Beef Prices in March 2025
Several factors contribute to the current beef prices in Pakistan, as outlined in the web reports:
- Livestock Feed Costs: The cost of feed for cattle, a major expense for farmers, has risen due to higher import duties and increased dollar prices, as noted by pricenews.com.pk. In 2024, feed prices surged, impacting production costs and, subsequently, beef prices.
- Seasonal Demand: March, leading into Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr in April 2025, sees a spike in demand for beef, a staple protein in Pakistani cuisine. This seasonal surge, as reported by farmghar.com, often pushes prices upward as consumers stock up for festive meals.
- Production Volume: Pakistan’s livestock sector contributes approximately 56% of value addition in agriculture and nearly 11% to the gross domestic product (GDP), per sciencedirect.com’s 2025 analysis. However, small-scale farmers and large commercial operations face challenges in scaling production to meet demand, leading to price volatility.
- Economic Conditions: The Pakistani rupee’s depreciation and inflation, as mentioned in numbeo.com’s cost-of-living data for 2025, have increased the cost of inputs like feed and veterinary services, further impacting beef prices.
- Fuel and Transportation Costs: Higher fuel prices add to the cost of transporting livestock and beef to urban markets, contributing to price variations, as highlighted by farmghar.com’s market insights.
Regional Variations and Market Trends
Beef prices vary across Pakistan’s provinces due to differences in supply chains, transportation costs, and local demand. Punjab, the largest beef-producing region, tends to have slightly lower prices than Sindh or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where transportation costs increase the final retail price. farmghar.com’s online livestock market platform indicates that Punjab’s markets, such as those in Lahore, offer competitive rates, while Karachi and Islamabad see higher prices due to urban demand and logistics.
In urban centers, butchers and supermarkets charge a premium for boneless beef, preferred for its convenience in cooking, while bone-in beef remains more affordable and popular for traditional dishes like nihari and keema. Rural areas, where cattle are often sold directly from farms, offer lower prices but may have limited availability of processed cuts, as noted in sciencedirect.com’s livestock production census.
Impact on Consumers and Businesses
Beef is a dietary staple in Pakistan, consumed in forms like curries, stews, and barbecues, as noted by pricenews.com.pk. However, rising prices pose challenges for low-income households, who rely on affordable protein sources. Restaurants, fast-food chains, and street vendors, such as those offering barbecue and biryani, are also feeling the impact, with some passing on higher costs to customers.
The livestock industry’s economic significance, valued at over $10 billion annually by sciencedirect.com, underscores its role in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. However, the 2024 decline in meat exports—down 5% due to global supply chain disruptions—indicates ongoing challenges, which continue to affect domestic prices in 2025.
How to Stay Updated on Beef Prices
Consumers can monitor beef prices through platforms like pricenews.com.pk, which provides real-time updates, trends, and insights on livestock costs. Local butcher shops and livestock markets, such as those listed on farmghar.com, offer daily rate lists, while numbeo.com tracks cost-of-living data affecting food prices across Pakistan. For broader economic context, sciencedirect.com’s livestock production reports provide detailed market analyses.
Looking Ahead
As Pakistan navigates economic pressures and seasonal demand, beef prices are expected to remain volatile through March 2025. Experts predict that stabilizing feed costs, improving livestock production efficiency, and addressing inflation could help moderate prices, but consumers should prepare for potential increases leading into Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr in April 2025.
For the latest updates on beef prices in your area, check local markets, online platforms, or government livestock rate lists. With beef being a must-have in Pakistani cuisine, staying informed ensures better budgeting and access to this essential protein source.
