Cattle Prices -Karachi’s livestock markets are a flurry of activity as Eid-ul-Azha draws closer. However, consumers must deal with the harsh reality that sacrificial animal prices have risen by 50% to 70% from the previous year.
Costs of Sacrificial Animals Rise Throughout the City
Goats now start at Rs40,000 in local markets, while heifers, no matter how big, almost never sell for less than Rs140,000. Many buyers were able to find low-weight heifers for less than Rs 100,000 last year. Similar animals now cost at least Rs 200,000.
The lack of a clear price regulation frustrates buyers. Customers are forced to bargain because traders set the prices themselves.
This price increase is the result of several factors. Livestock trader Kashif Qureshi clarified that the price of fodder has increased by more than 50%. The majority of animals are transported to Karachi by middle-level traders from Punjab and Sindh. Fuel, taxes, and maintenance expenses are all part of this process.
“Every step adds to the total cost—buying, relocating to Karachi, and maintaining the animals in local markets with security and lighting,” Qureshi continued. After that, traders include their profit margins. This can range from Rs15,000 to Rs50,000 for small animals. It frequently reaches Rs50,000 to Rs200,000 or more for larger animals.
Prices Are Determined by Animal Size, Breed, and Appearance
Additionally, traders point out that physical appearance, weight, and breed all have a significant impact on pricing. Although there are currently 13 official cattle markets in Karachi, unlicensed roadside sales are also becoming more common in different neighbourhoods.
Cows and camels are the primary large animals found in the markets, according to another trader, Arif Qureshi. However, many middle-class households are finding it more and more difficult to afford them as prices continue to rise. Premium livestock can sell for between Rs400,000 and Rs1 million, while average-weight heifers now cost between Rs200,000 and Rs300,000. For premium animals, buyers from wealthier backgrounds are shelling out between Rs 1.2 million and Rs 2 million or more.
More people are choosing to go to the markets in the evening or at night as Eid-ul-Azha draws near, with the goal of buying medium-sized heifers for around Rs200,000. The majority of these animals are imported from Punjab’s various regions.
Goat prices have also skyrocketed. According to goat trader Saifuddin, medium-sized goats that used to cost between Rs30,000 and Rs35,000 are now sold for between Rs50,000 and Rs60,000. Depending on their breed and physical characteristics, premium goats can sell for up to Rs300,000, with the starting price being approximately Rs40,000.
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