Srinagar, Dec 25: Jammu and Kashmir has for long carried the reputation as a meat-heavy region, built on the legacy of cultural feasts like Wazwan feasts and a preference for mutton and poultry. Being a Muslim-majority area, Kashmir Valley is a meat-welcoming society, but meat is not eaten in the proportions as is widely believed, data reveals.
Kashmir’s participation in meat-eating is high, but the overall quantity consumed per person isn’t as “voracious” as stereotyped. It sure is elevated compared to India’s national average, but by all means moderate relative to the top Indian states. Meat consumption in Kashmir is far below global norms. The National Family Health Survey-5 and 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey have insights and revelations.
The Percentage of Population Consuming Meat (Aged 15-49): J&K stands at 88% in J&K. Nearly 9 in 10 adults eat eggs, fish, chicken, or meat at least occasionally.
This is high but not exceptional. Northeastern states have higher percentages: Meghalaya (99%), Arunachal Pradesh (99%), and Mizoram (99%) top the list, followed by West Bengal (97%) and Kerala (96%). The northern states with stronger vegetarian traditions lag behind: Rajasthan (22%), Haryana (33%), Punjab (54%), and Gujarat (40%). India’s overall average is around 80%. By this measure, J&K aligns with the all-India average.
Households in J&K allocate about 11% of their total food budget to meat. This places it in the mid-to-high range nationally. Many other states have a higher expenditure on meat and meat products: Meghalaya (19%), Nagaland (19%), Arunachal Pradesh (19%), Goa (15%), and Telangana (13-15%). Low-spenders include Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat. These states are essentially vegetarian. The national average is around 10%. J&K is slightly above the national average but not an outlier territory.
The recent estimates put India’s national average meat consumption at 7.1-7.4 kg per person annually. It is up from under 5 kg a decade ago, but still lower than the global average. J&K’s per capita is higher, 11-14 kg, above average, but not the highest. The top states include Telangana (21-28 kg), Haryana (24 kg), Andhra Pradesh (21 kg), Kerala (13 kg), and Assam (11 kg). J&K’s figure is driven by mutton and poultry, and is closer to mid-tier states like West Bengal (10 kg).
Only 10% of Indians eat meat daily. About 60% consume weekly, and the rest occasionally or never. In J&K, patterns are similar: high participation but not daily indulgence. According to a study, in Srinagar, 68% of households consume poultry weekly, not every day. This contrasts with assumptions of constant meat-eating, as in most homes, meals remain vegetable-based. The label “non-veg” is often understood as a heavy daily intake, but surveys show otherwise.
Economic factors play a major role; mutton costs Rs 700-750/kg, limiting purchasing. Overall, J&K imports 41% of its sheep.
