Customers and sellers are the shoulder load of increasing costs equally.
As Karachi’s suffocating heat crossed the Bakra Mandi (Livestock Market), the air buzzed with the balance of goats, the noise of the helmets and bursts of conversation and laughter.
The entrance was full of food stalls that welcomed visitors with snacks and tea, while a man delivered RS100 entrance tickets to vehicles approaching to park.
Within the MandiThe red carp near the entrance shone under small candlesticks, while large pen extended by miles, full of sacrifice animals.
From goats to sheep to large bulls and camels, the cattle market offered something for everyone.
However, in the middle of the animated buzzing of the MandiWhat stood out the most were the very high prices of cattle.
Sellers cited steep rates, since the price of cows rose to several hundred thousand rupees in just one year, while the healthy goats that cost RS40,000 only two years ago were now sold for RS45,000 and more.
With the costs of transport, rent and food, many struggle to keep up, and the spirit of sacrifice is increasingly eclipsed by the few price labels.
While economic indicators such as inflation and remittances have shown improvements, prices in cattle markets tell a different history.
According to the economic survey of Pakistan (PES) of 2024, the [livestock sector][5] It represented approximately 61 percent of the agricultural added value and 15 percent of GDP during the FY24, with a growth rate of 3.8pc.
“The addition of gross value of the cattle sector has shown an increase, increasing to RS5.8 billion in 2023-24 of RS5.59 billion in 2022-23, which marked a growth rate of 3.9pc,” said the PES.
In spite of this, however, sellers and buyers of sacrificial livestock are assuming an economic burden, since these prices do not seem to fall.
A seller, Mohammad Abid, told him Dawn.com that cattle prices vary according to different sellers, Mandis and factors related to the quality of livestock, as well as where cattle come from.
“Sindh’s cattle would be cheaper since it is closer, while Punjab cattle would be more expensive due to higher transport costs,” he explained.
He also commented on the growing prices of goats in the last two years.
“In two years, there has been an increase of RS3,000 to RS4,000 in goat prices,” he said. “If a goat cost RS40,000 a year or two, now it costs between RS43,000 and RS45,000, with the highest price that varies from RS50,000 to RS70,000.”
Abid also said that the government did not provide funds for the maintenance of animals, stating: “Sellers must pay the rent to establish their tents in the Mandi. “
Another seller, Ibrahim, added that, although the government had provided space and electricity for generators and lights, they had to pay between RS100,000 and RS150,000 for rent every 10 days in addition to supporting the cost of food and water intake of animals.
These prices reflected expenses such as renting, food and care, plus a profit margin, all of which are finally transmitted to the client.
“A cow worth RS1.8 million last year now ranges between RS2.3m and RS2.5m. For more expensive animals, which cost RS2.5m to RS3M, people can negotiate them and take them by RS1.8M to RS1.9M,” said Ibrahim. “Even with high prices, people are still willing to pay.”
Khurram Jameel, a customer who visited some Mandis To have an idea of prices, he said he had seen cows sold for up to RS7 million.
“I bought the majority of my cattle from a Mandi Near the Karachi-Hyderabad Super Highway, ”he said, adding that he also had to pay RS14,000 to transport animals to the Defense Housing Authority, located at the other end of the city.
Jameel also agreed that the increase in prices had an impact on the purchase of cattle, but said it was also a matter of faith.
“This is Sunnat-I-Ibrahim and, honestly, we enjoy it as Muslims,” he emphasized. “That’s why it’s called ‘Bari Eid’ – Buy cattle, sacrifle them in their homes, take care of animals and love them as we have been asked to do in our religion.
“If you are passionate about something, you do everything possible to get what you can.”
Despite complaints and disappointment for inflated prices, some customers echo similar feelings, highlighting the true meaning of EID and what it means to participate.
Another visitor in the MandiRazia Abbasi said the idea of a Mandi It had become more “show wealth.”
“It has become more a show, a state symbol, since people believe that the bigger, although it is not a [part of] Islamic criteria that you must get something bigger and more expensive, “he said.Qurbani (Sacrifice) It is what you can pay with an open heart, it is not about showing off. ”
He added that he mostly chose to buy Qurbani actions instead of only cattle.
“It is more affordable, which costs between RS38,000 and RS39,000 on the one hand of a cow; although this has also increased with respect to the 32,000 last year,” he said. “There is also the convenience bonus, since there is not always someone to take care of animals, nor can there be space to maintain them.”
In light of prices increase, several clients said they now turned to shop windows in Mandis And he chose to buy Qurbani Shares and search of cattle in online markets for cheaper prices.
However, for some, the essence of Eidul Azha remains intact since they take into account the deepest devotion behind the growing costs, but how long can faith overcome financial tension as prices rise consistently?
Image of the header: The goats are exhibited on a farm of cattle in Karachi. – Author’s photo
