As Muslims across Pakistan prepare to celebrate Eid ul Azha, the traditional ritual of animal sacrifice, livestock prices have witnessed a noticeable rise nationwide amid increased demand and ongoing inflationary pressure.
With Eid ul Azha approaching, markets are seeing higher rates for goats and cattle compared to last year. A medium-sized goat, which previously cost between Rs50,000 and Rs60,000 for approximately 25 kilograms of meat, is now being sold in the range of Rs60,000 to Rs70,000. Similarly, premium-quality goats that were earlier available for around Rs150,000 have now climbed to nearly Rs160,000, reflecting stronger seasonal demand.
Cattle prices have also shown upward movement. Last year, a good-quality bull weighing around three maunds was priced between Rs180,000 and Rs200,000. However, despite a relatively large supply in the market this year—partly due to export restrictions at borders keeping more animals within the country—prices are still expected to stay close to or slightly below the Rs200,000 mark in some categories. For communal sacrifice arrangements, mosques have set bull share prices between Rs28,000 and Rs32,000 per participant for seven-person Qurbani shares.
Major urban centers such as Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad continue to host extensive cattle farms where animals are raised year-round specifically for the Eid ul Azha market. These farms cater to both middle-class and high-end buyers, offering a wide price range depending on breed, weight, and quality.
At the premium end of the market, prices have reached exceptionally high levels. Some bulls are valued between Rs500,000 and Rs5 million, while rare and high-breed animals in Karachi have reportedly crossed Rs10 million. This trend highlights a consistent year-on-year increase in livestock pricing, driven by rising maintenance costs, feed expenses, and growing demand during the festive season.
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