Khartoum, Sudan - A campaign to boycott red meat in Khartoum, Sudan's capital, in protest against high prices, entered its second day Monday, with organizers saying it is paying off and pressing for a continuation.

Although Sudan has huge animal resources, prices of red meat have reached such a level that consumers can rarely afford to buy.

One kilo of mutton in Khartoum used to sell for 35 Sudanese pounds (about US$9) while a kilo of veal sells for 25 Sudanese pounds (about US$6.2).

But since the start of the campaign, led by the Sudanese Consumer Protection Society, the prices have gone down, with one kilo of mutton now selling for 28 Sudanese pounds and one kilo of veal at 18 Sudanese pound..

'This (fall in prices) is a clear success for us and it is even surprising to us,' the Secretary General of the society, Yasser Mirghani, told the independent daily Al Ayam Monday.

Butchers have blamed exporters for the high prices, arguing that while they used to buy one average size sheep for 200 Sudanese pounds (US$50), exporters can pay up to 500 Sudanese pounds (US$125) for same.

Pana 19/09/2011