Buyers remain at bay as prices of animals skyrocket

Traders blame high transport and swelling input costs for increase

LAHORE: Prices of all sacrificial animals have skyrocketed in the provincial capital as Eidul Azha nears, keeping buyers at bay.

A survey of a makeshift sacrificial market on the outskirts of the metropolis indicates prices of animals have almost doubled in comparison with prices in normal days. Livestock farmers and sacrificial animal vendors blame high transport and swelling input costs for such increase in animal prices.



Manzoor Elahi, a livestock farmer from Sahiwal, pointed out that price of fodder and labour increased substantially over the year. “The cost of raising an animal has multiplied and farmers are compelled to sell their animals at higher rates,” he added.

Several traders complain that sales of sacrificial animals are not picking up despite the fact that Eidul Azha is around the corner. There is hardly any genuine buyer in sacrificial animal markets. Most markets are flooded with window shoppers who are finding it hard to buy animals because of the soaring rates.

Fazal Din, a cattle breeder from Muzaffargarh says that he brought 35 sheep and goats in the city. “I have hardly sold a single goat in the past three days as Lahoris are not willing to buy at the asking prices,” he said.

Shafique Bhatti, a citizen, said that prices of sacrificial animals have gone beyond the purchasing power of the people. Earlier, one could easily buy an average sized goat at cheap rates, but now it has become impossible for many.

“I have already decided to contribute to a collective sacrifice, but I am visiting markets to check the trend in prices,” he said. “Traders are asking Rs25,000 and Rs45,000 for an average sized goat and sheep, respectively.”

Javed Khalil, a shopper, said that he regularly sacrificed an animal on Eidul Azha but now it has become difficult as the price of almost all animals has gone beyond his purchasing power. Shopper Raffay Hameed highlighted that prices for an average sized goat is ranging between Rs35,000 and Rs45,000.



“I am visiting cattle markets with my friends to check animal prices. I will buy a goat a couple of days before Eid as it is a routine practice that vendors slash prices a couple of days ahead of Eid to avoid loss on returning animals,” he said.

Meanwhile, the provincial authorities have stepped up efforts to ensure the animals being brought to markets are free from ticks.

Dr Asif Rafiq, a spokesman for the Punjab Livestock Department told The Express Tribune that the department has deployed veterinary doctors and veterinary assistance in all makeshift sacrificial animal markets and has established checkposts at entry points of districts and cities across the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2017.