Animal prices soar with Eid just a few weeks away

Rates are higher this year due to increase in dollar exchange rate

LAHORE: Locals are busy crowding cattle markets around the city ahead of Eidul Azha, hoping to be the early bird who gets the best prices. However, most of them return home empty-handed due to the exorbitant rates being charged by the animal sellers.

The sale and purchase of sacrificial animals has started gaining momentum as Eidul Azha is just three weeks away.



A city government official says the majority of sellers of sacrificial animals are demanding very high rates as no price regulatory mechanism has been introduced by the local government. On an average, over 400,000 sacrificial animals are slaughtered in the city every Eidul Azha. “Out of the total, around 250,000 are small animals such as goats and sheep and the rest are bigger cattle such as cows, calves and camels,” he adds.

According to a survey of different sale points in most city markets, the price of a normal-size goat ranges from Rs30,000 to Rs60,000, a lamb/sheep from Rs25,000 to Rs55,000 and a cow/calf from Rs 55,000 to Rs120,000.

The survey shows that prices of sacrificial animals are higher this year due to the rise in dollar exchange rates.

Those dealing with the sale of sacrificial animals say the increase in the cost of transportation and price of animal fodder has forced them to increase the rates. A cattle seller, Kabir Khan, says the rise in transportation charges, cost of animal breeding and feed, along with “bribes and taxes”, has led to the hike in animal prices.

Another seller from South Punjab, Naseer Ahmad, says that the price of green fodder has gone up by 50% this year, while the fare of a truck coming from South Punjab to Lahore had also increased by 100%. "I am worried how I will be able to sell my animals at a loss," he fears.

The majority of customers visiting animal sale points say the government should control prices as the general public is currently at the mercy of sellers who demand very high prices.



A resident of Shahman, Yasir Mehmood, says prices of animals have increased, but the people’s income has remained the same. He adds that the people with modest incomes are facing a real dilemma as they want to buy an animal to fulfill their religious obligation. However, most citizens believe that high prices of sacrificial animals may fall in the coming days as sellers do not want to return with their animals.

Mehmood says the sellers are demanding high prices, especially for goats, but these rates must come down. The majority of citizens have demanded that the government enforce a price mechanism to enable the purchase of sacrificial animals at reasonable rates. APP