Animal fodder prices on fire ahead of Eid

RAWALPINDI:

With Eidul Azha fast approaching, there has been a massive increase in the prices of fodder and feed for sacrificial animals in the open market.

Due to the rise in fodder prices, daily cost of feeding a sacrificial animal now ranges from Rs1,200 to Rs1,400. Machine-cut green fodder is being sold at Rs40 per kg in the open market, oilcake at Rs200 per kg, black chickpea husk at Rs170 per kg, bran at Rs130 per kg, chaff at Rs150 per kg and straw at Rs200 per kg.

Despite the high prices, the quality remains low. More than half of the green chopped fodder is made from rotten or stolen green leaves so decayed that the animals don't even eat it, forcing buyers to purchase new batches again.

Temporary fodder shops have been set up in almost every street and neighbourhood across the city. Fodder stalls have also been established in city markets. Green fodder is being supplied daily from villages to the cities.

The high prices are still not enough to discourage enthusiastic celebrators like students and children, who are buying fodder and decorative items for the animals from their own pocket money.

A fodder seller, Shauqat Kayani, said that Eidul Azha is a seasonal business.

According to him, during the ten days of Eid, the sale of fodder exceeds what is usually sold in two months during normal days.

Traders have raised the prices of all types of fodder by 40 per cent and a further increase is expected two days before Eid.