People buying animals at a cattle market in Gujranwala. PHOTO: ILYAS CHAUHAN/EXPRESS
As Eid approaches, prospective buyers are complaining that the prices of cattle are climbing.
Goats are being sold at between Rs30,000 to Rs100,000 and cows for Rs70,000 to 200,000. Most people visiting the cattle markets say they have been returning empty-handed.
Malik Taj Waseem, a cattle dealer at the Sadiqabad Market near Alamara Fort Road said that the prices had risen due to the increase in the price of petrol. He said some of the buyers did not realise that breeders had been spending on the cattle.
“Most people buy cattle late to avoid the hassle and expenditure on feeding it. The later they buy, the more expensive the animal,” he said.
Ghulam Sarwar, a resident of Rahim Yar Khan, said he had been visiting the cattle market every day on his way home hoping to find an animal he could afford. So far, he said, he had been unsuccessful.
“Children do not understand when you tell them that we cannot afford a goat for Rs30,000 or a cow for Rs70,000 because you only earn Rs9,000 a month,” he said.
Akmal Qureshi, a dealer in Bahawalpur Cattle Market, said that he was ready to bargain, but there weren’t enough “serious” buyers.
“Most people appear to come here for fun. They never visit to buy an animal,” he said. He said so far he had only sold cattle dealers, who would sell these in bigger cities.
Markets in Faisalabad are witnessing a similar trend. A week ago, a goat’s price in the district was between Rs25,000 and Rs40,000. This week, however, goats are selling for Rs35,000 to Rs60,000.
Compared to last week’s Rs15,000 to Rs20,000, rams are being sold for Rs22,500 to Rs35,000. Prices of bulls have gone up to Rs90,000 to Rs150,000 from last week’s Rs60,000 to Rs90,000.
Muhammad Hussain, one of the animal dealers, said Eidul Azha was a time when dealers made most of their entire year’s earning.
“We will not survive if we sell the animals cheap.”
Shafiq Ahmad, one of the prospective buyers who said he has been visiting the market for five days, also said that he had noticed a hike in the prices everyday.
He said he now planned to share a sacrifice at a neighbourhood mosque.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ