Cattle sales pick up ahead of Eid

Livestock Dept has set up medical camps at all seven cattle markets in the city

LAHORE: Despite a sluggish start, sales of sacrificial animals have picked up across the city.

Livestock dealers at the cattle market near Sagian Bridge told The Express Tribune that they had brought cattle to the city in the first week of September but could not find buyers.

“The sales picked up this week,” they said. Muhammad Boota, a vendor at the cattle market, said that he brought 65 animals to the market on September 5. He said he made his first sale this Monday.

“Most buyers are looking for cows or camels,” he added.

A survey of the cattle market showed that a goat was available for between   Rs25,000 and Rs35,000 and sheep between Rs20,000 and Rs25,000, depending on their weight. Sellers were asking Rs70,000 to Rs 80,000 for a cow and Rs65,000 to Rs 100,000 for a camel.

Zahid, who bought a goat, told The Express Tribune that he paid Rs32,000 for it. “Bargaining started from Rs40,000 but the deal was finalised at Rs 32,000,” he said.  Zubair Alam, another shopper, said vendors quoted high prices to start the negotiations but agreed to sell at much lower rates after haggling. “They are very smart,” he said. “They judge people from their appearance and quote different prices to different buyers.” He said he had four brothers and they had decided buy a cow together. Faizan, a young buyer, said he was excited about buying an ox. “My father and uncle are negotiating for a grey ox,” he said. “We will buy the biggest ox in the market!”An official of the Livestock Department told The Express Tribune that the department had set up medical camps at cattle markets to provide emergency care. He said officials from the Livestock Department, the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) and the Lahore Division Cattle Management Company were monitoring the markets.

The CDGL has set up seven cattle markets at Shahpur Kanjran, Manawan, Punjab University Housing Society, Kahna, Kamaha Interchange and Sagian Bridge.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2015.