Decreased supplies and the last-minute increase in demand triggered a surge in cattle prices making it difficult for people to buy sacrificial animal just hours before Eidul Adha. Hundreds of people flocking to the markets on Sunday were expecting a last-minute discount but were caught by surprise by the meteoric increase in prices. “An average-sized goat which was being sold for Rs 16,000 yesterday is being sold for Rs 23,000 today, I can’t believe how much the prices have climbed in just a few hours,” said Dr Hamza Khan a father of two. He said he had visited the same market yesterday to get an idea of the prices but was shocked to see the steep rise in prices the very next day.
Cattle sellers held the low supplies of livestock responsible for the hike in prices. “The demand is way more than the supply and people have just started buying the animals,” said Ehtesham, a cattle dealer. He said he was present at the cattle market for 3 consecutive days now but the market was in a slump. “Very few buyers were seen in the market yesterday and days before that, maybe that was the reason why the prices were lower previously, but now that the people are finally coming in, the prices have increased,” he said. Another cattle dealer while quoting prices said calves were the most expensive animal this year. “An average-sized goat costs Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 while cows are for Rs 40,000,” he said, adding that the prices were expected to come down after midnight.
Cattle traders speculate that 600,000 livestock which includes all sort of sacrificial animals were brought to the metropolis this year, while 1 million scarifies are expected to be done in the capital of Punjab defying the shortfall in the supply of livestock for Eid. Cattle markets had started filling up with buyers as the day came to an end. Five major cattle markets that were considered to be hot zones for livestock transactions included LDA Avenue, Ferozepure Road Kahnah, Saggian Bridge, Jallo and Ferozwala.
GENERAL EID SHOPPING: Whereas there were traffic jams around the sale points, generally the city was empty as the citizens had swarmed to bazaars for general Eid shopping. Women were seen busy in buying grocery for the big day to pad up the meat fiesta. “I am here to buy all necessary items needed on Eid, especially knives, shopping bags, onions, tomatoes, yogurt, fizzy drinks, fruits, sweet for desert and things needed for barbeque,” said Samina a young housewife and a mother of three, while shopping at CSD. She said the main attraction on Eid was food and she loved to cook for her family.
Thousands scuttled to the different markets of the city including Liberty Market, Model Town Link Road, Fortress Stadium, Moon Market, Ichhra and Anarkali to get their dresses, bangles and other Eid related items. Although such shopping normally happens during Eidul Fitr but it seemed that many had come to the bazaars because of the pleasant weather. Ready-made Kurta Shalwar remained the favorite option for males whereas girls went for the matching jewellery, sandals and bangles.
Sorry, no last-minute discounts this time
