Bengaluru: Two days left for the Eid al-Adha or Bakrid, and sheep markets at Chamarajpet, Thanisandra, Nagasandra and Shivajinagar in the city are doing brisk business. But the price of sacrificial goats and sheep has gone up by nearly 100% this year. Around 10,000-20,000 sacrificial animals of different breeds, like Bannur, Deccani, Australian cross breed and Jamuna Pari, are being brought into the city every day.
Liaq Ahmed, who was searching for a sheep at the crowded Idgah Maidan in Chamarajpet, said, “Last year, the price of a Bannur sheep weighing over 30 kg ranged between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,000. But this year, it is being sold for not less than Rs 15,000. Traders are not willing to reduce the cost even by Rs 1,000 or Rs 2,000.”
On the reason for the steep increase in prices, Nagesha, a shepherd from Shira, said, “Rains have played a havoc and made our lives miserable. We have invested a lot of money for the fodder for these animals. The transportation and other costs too have gone up. Our demand is not too high. These animals are worth the price.”
Traders told DC that they have already sold sacrificial animals to the tune of one crore. Majority of the animals are brought from Madanapalle, Shira, Bijapur, Maddur, Malavalli, Chikkaballapur and Bagalkot.
The steep hike in prices has not deterred the buyers, though. “There is a religious factor involved and we have to shell out the price demanded by the traders. For generations, we have been offering the meat from the sacrificial sheep to the poor. We cannot miss it this year just because the prices are high,” said Akram Ahmed Khan, a resident of Goripalya.
Sirohi breed sold for Rs 60,000
A Sirohi breed, weighing over 50 kg, was sold for Rs 60,000, which was the highest for the day at Chamrajpet on Wednesday. Deccani sheep weighing over 50 kg being brought from Bagalkot and Bijapur are being sold for Rs 50,000.
You can buy them online too!
Shepherds have gone tech-savvy too. They have been uploading pictures of various types of goats and sheep on online marketing platforms, like Quikr, to increase their customer base. Traders are sharing pictures of sacrificial animals with their weight and height. Interested can call up the numbers provided and book their animals which will be delivered at their doorstep. Traders charge extra for home delivery.
