KULOB, February 27, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Lamb prices have risen nearly 10 percent in the city of Kulob.

Local residents say the price of one kilogram of lamb at local bazaars has risen from 29.00-30.00 somoni in early January to 32.00 somoni.

The Kulob butchers justified price hike as resulting from a shortage of sheep during the winter moths.  “We are now forced to purchase sheep from residents of suburban settlements, who ask the maximum prices,” one of local butchers noted.

Meanwhile, beef prices have reportedly fallen in Kulob – from 27.00-28.00 somoni in January to 25.00-26.00 somoni.

It is to be noted that prices of other basic food products have risen 3.0-5.0 percent at Kulob’s bazaars since the beginning of the year.