Eidul Azha celebrated by millions of Muslims worldwide, involves the tradition of sacrificing animals, following the example of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH).
In Pakistan, preparations for this occasion start a month in advance. As the day approaches, children eagerly anticipate bringing home animals for sacrifice, reflecting their attachment to this tradition.
Some affluent individuals even establish their own cattle farms to rear animals throughout the year, selling them before Eid. Consequently, the business of selling sacrificial animals has become customary.
Like many commodities affected by inflation, the prices of sacrificial animals also witness a steady rise. As Eid approaches, these prices typically surge by 20 to 30 percent, impacting the purchasing power of consumers.
The preferred sacrificial animals in Pakistan are goats and cows, aligning with the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). While some people prefer to personally rear and sacrifice animals, others contribute their share to mosques or charitable institutions, receiving meat in return.
Goat, lamb rates
Last year, a suitable goat, yielding around 25 kg of meat, was priced between Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000.
However, this year, the price for a similar goat has escalated to Rs 55,000 to Rs 70,000. Additionally, high-value goats, priced between Rs1.25lac to Rs 1.5 lac, have surged to Rs2 lac this year, incurring substantial maintenance costs.
Bulls rates in Karachi and Lahore
In 2023, the outbreak of lumpy skin disease among bulls in Pakistan led to a reduced supply in the market, resulting in higher prices compared to the previous year.
A bull with 3 maunds of meat was priced between Rs 120,000 to Rs 130,000 last year, whereas this year, the price ranges from Rs 150,000 to Rs 200,000. Mosques have fixed the price of one part of a bull between Rs 25000 to Rs30,000.
Despite the availability of various sacrificial animals, bulls remain a popular choice among Pakistanis due to their larger size and the division of meat into seven parts.
Cattle farms in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad cater to the demand for large animals, with prices ranging from Rs5 lac to over Rs10 million for some elite bulls in Karachi.
