As Eidul Azha approaches, sacrificial animal prices in Pakistan's cattle markets have surged, with traders arguing for fair returns while buyers complain of high rates.
As Eidul Azha approaches, the prices of sacrificial animals in Pakistan's cattle markets have once again become a focal point of debate. Buyers are complaining about unusually high rates, while livestock traders argue that they are not receiving fair returns for their livestock. Unlike most commodities, Pakistan has no official pricing formula or regulatory mechanism to determine the cost of sacrificial animals.
Experts note that prices are generally set based on multiple factors such as age, weight, breed, health, physical appearance, and prevailing market demand. At cattle markets, ordinary goats and sheep are being sold in a range from Rs90,000 to Rs125,000, while premium breeds command prices between Rs200,000 and Rs400,000. Medium-sized bulls and calves are available at Rs300,000 to Rs700,000, with high-breed and heavier animals fetching between Rs800,000 and Rs1.5 million. Camel prices range from Rs500,000 to as high as Rs2 million.
Livestock traders maintain that animal pricing cannot be based on a single benchmark because several variables influence valuation. Abdul Rehman, a trader who brought goats from Bahawalpur for sale, explained, "Prices are determined after assessing breed, weight, health, size, appearance, and market demand." Mian Shafiq, another trader, rising costs of fodder, medicines, transportation, and general animal care also directly impact prices. He animals in higher demand fetch better prices, while those with lower demand are sold at comparatively reduced rates.
Rana Mubashir Hassan, a breeding farm owner, highlighted the substantial investment required to produce high-quality animals, which is reflected in their higher market value. He stated, "Producing high-quality animals requires substantial investment, and we continuously bear expenses on feed, healthcare, and vaccination."
On the other hand, buyers have described prevailing prices as excessive. Aftab Ahmed, a citizen, said traders are demanding prices that he referred to as "touching the sky." He added, "While sellers set prices based on breed and weight, buyers usually bid according to their financial capacity. When traders do not hesitate in demanding very high prices, buyers also do not hesitate in offering much lower amounts."
A spokesperson for the Punjab Cattle Market Management and Development Company, Sheikh Asad Zafar, clarified that there is no official formula or standard mechanism for fixing the prices of sacrificial animals. According to him, traders independently determine prices based on breed, weight, health, and appearance, and the company does not intervene in the pricing process. He advised citizens to purchase animals only from registered cattle markets and designated enclosures set up by the company, and to avoid buying from roadside sellers.
Despite higher supply of both small and large sacrificial animals, buyer turnout remains relatively subdued, creating a competitive environment over pricing and sales between traders and purchasers. Competition between livestock traders and buyers has intensified across markets as a result.
