Markets in Pakistan's provincial capital see a surge in knife and cleaver purchases ahead of Eidul Azha, leading to increased prices due to heightened demand.
Markets across the provincial capital are experiencing a significant increase in buyers as residents prepare for Eidul Azha. The festive season has seen a rush of customers flocking to shops for knife and cleaver sharpening, purchasing new cutting tools, and stocking up on essential cooking equipment. This seasonal surge has driven prices upward, with traders attributing the rise to increased demand ahead of the three-day festival.
In the old city areas, shops specializing in knife sharpening and blade finishing are bustling with customers, including housewives and professional butchers, who are preparing their tools for slaughter and meat preparation during Eid. Many residents are also buying new knives and cleavers, while others are getting their existing tools sharpened using traditional stone grinding methods and modern machines.
Alongside this, there has been a notable increase in demand for coal and gas-powered stoves used for cooking meat. Sales of these stoves have continued at a steady pace across local markets, with prices ranging from Rs250 to as high as Rs4,000 depending on size and quality.
According to details, sharpener craftsmen have increased their rates ahead of Eid due to seasonal demand. Prices of new small knives have reached around Rs900, while larger knives are being sold for up to Rs1,500. Sharpening charges range between Rs300 and Rs600 depending on the size of the knife. Similarly, new cleavers (tokas) are being sold between Rs1,700 and Rs2,100, with sharpening and blade finishing costs ranging from Rs500 to Rs700.
Citizens have inflation has made even basic Eid preparations more expensive. Knife sharpening, which previously cost only a small amount, is now considered costly. Many purchasing new tools has become increasingly difficult for average households due to rising prices. Shopkeepers, however, said the increase in prices is due to higher material costs and inflation in raw supplies, forcing them to charge more for sharpening services and cooking equipment.
Despite these price hikes, markets remain busy as families continue their preparations for Eid rituals and meat processing at home. The festive season has brought both excitement and financial strain for many households, but the demand for essential tools and equipment remains strong.
