Prices of sacrificial animals soar ahead of Eidul Azha

Traders say sales expected to rise in coming days

ISLAMABAD: The prices of sacrificial animals have skyrocketed before the advent of Eidul Azha in the twin cities.

A visible rise in taxation and other associated expenses are believed to be the reasons behind the price hike.



Cattle traders have started to bring animals in the cattle markets and can be seen wandering in the streets to attract the customers.

The sellers are demanding high prices because they were spending a lot of time waiting for the customers.

Traders hoped that sales will gain momentum in the coming days as the religious festival approaches and buyers start visiting the markets.

“A large number of animals are expected to be sold this year as well, they added.

Small-sized animals, particularly goats and sheep, have arrived in the twin cities so far, with their prices starting from Rs15,000 to 17,000.

The prices of A-category animals have increased from Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 while prices for the B category have jumped to Rs20,000.



Despite exorbitant prices of sacrificial animals, the sales are expected to go up with the arrival of the festival. However, buyers expected that prices would come down once more animals arrive in the twin cities.

Owing to high prices, the trend of `Ijtamai Qurbani’ is also becoming popular among buyers. The CDA-designated cattle market would be established in Sector I-11/4 of the federal capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2017.