Buyers missing from cattle market

Prices of sacrificial animals have increased by up to 50 per cent

KARACHI:

The largest cattle market of the country at Super Highway has been witnessing a few buyers so far due to the high inflation rate in the country.

Sacrificial animals of different breed and weights are being brought to the market from all over the country. These animals include oxen, cows, goats, sheep and camels. There were a few buyers and more visitors coming just to see the animals in the cattle markets so far.

Traders complain over the high prices of sacrificial animals. They said that the prices have gone up by 30 to 50 per cent this year due to increased prices of fuel, soaring taxe and road toll and octoroi duties. The market organisers said that all possible facilities are being provided to the traders and sick animals in the market have been banned.

The Express Tribune surveyed Asia's largest cattle market and spoke to market management, traders and buyers. Cattle market spokesman Asif Ali Syed said it was the largest cattle market in Asia, which covers more than 2,000 acres. So far more than 80,000 animals of different weights, colors and breeds have been brought to the cattle market. The prices of these animals are determined by traders themselves with respect to color, breed and beauty of the animal.

Cattle market management has nothing to do with pricing, Asif said. He said that various facilities for traders and buyers have been provided, including food stalls, water, animal feed, installation of ATM machines, electricity and lighting and other facilities.

Waris Ali, one of the traders, said that the minimum price for a goat is Rs40,000. He said that the price of a low weight cow is at least Rs100,000. Ali said that the price of an animal depends upon its weight and breed.

Another trader, Shahid, told The Express Turbine that the beautiful and expensive animals are priced upward from Rs500,000 to millions of rupees. The expensive animals - well-fed, groomed and maintained - are housed in the VIP block of the market. He said that citizens come to the market to find out prices. Shahid hoped that the purchasing will increase soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2022.