Bactrian camels reach Karachi’s cattle market

Caretakers say traders paid heavy amount to haul the ungulates all the way from Turkmenistan

KARACHI:

The two-humped camels from Turkmenistan have become the center of attraction for buyers coming to the Super Highway Cattle Market.

The caretakers of the Bactrian camels told The Express Tribune on Sunday that these huge ungulates, native to the Central Asian steppes, were brought from Turkmenistan via Afghanistan then onwards through Blaochistan and finally Karachi.

Compared to local dromedary camels, the Bactrian camels, are smaller in height, heavier, and have shorter neck, thick hair, besides two humps instead of one.

In Karachi cattle market, these exotic sacrificial animals are available with price tag of Rs2 million, the caretakers of the short-lived foreign guests said.

According to camel breeders, these camels are called Turkmen breed or mountain camels which are also able to withstand severe cold due to their long hair. These camels are also called Mongolian camels.

Meanwhile, camels of other breeds from Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan have also been brought to the camel market. The price has tripled compared to last year. Camel sellers say that transporting camels is more expensive than other sacrificial animals.

Moreover, parking charges for 10 camels for 10 days equals to Rs100,000, plus the big beasts eat and drink more, so they are more expensive.

According to buyers, the average price of a camel, which was Rs150,000 last year, is being demanded at Rs300,000 to 400,000 this year. So far 450,000 cattle have been brought to the Karachi Super Highway Cattle Market.

Those who go to the market for shopping say that the market is very fast and traders are demanding exorbitant prices which is why deals aren't happening.

Many citizens failed to find their desired animal after wandering around all night and all day. The price of cows and oxen is also three times higher than last year. Traders say the cost of transporting animals, entry fees, market rent, and the high cost of fodder have pushed up the price of animals.

Meanwhile, for camel herders of Balochistan, Eidul Azha is when they can cash in on their animals, by selling them in Karachi. But with costs for rearing the animals rising, and consequently raising their eventual price tag, they may just have been priced out of the range of customers.

"I am happy if the animals are sold, but I am sad if I have to take them back because that means I will suffer a loss and will have to bear all the expenses incurred in rearing them," Ali Nawaz a camel herder from Sibbi told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2022.