Although Eid-ul-Adha is still over a month away, discussions about the prices of sacrificial animals have already begun, fueled by the pervasive inflation affecting every household in Pakistan.
It’s evident that this year, the prices of sacrificial animals will be significantly higher than in previous years, driven not only by inflation but also by the surge in meat consumption, animal exports, and smuggling from Pakistan, all of which have contributed to the escalating costs of cattle.
As in previous years, the government has established animal markets (mandis) across the country, especially in major cities like Karachi and Lahore, where animals have already started arriving.
In Pakistan, goats and cows are the preferred sacrificial animals. Last year, a suitable goat, yielding around 25 kg of meat, ranged between Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000. However, this year, the cost for a similar goat has surged to Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 70,000.
Furthermore, high-value goats, typically priced between Rs. 1.25 lakh to Rs. 1.5 lakh, have skyrocketed to Rs. 2 lakh this year. The emergence of lumpy skin disease among bulls in Pakistan in 2023 caused a decrease in supply, resulting in increased prices compared to the previous year.
In terms of bulls, last year, a bull weighing 3 maunds was priced between Rs. 120,000 to Rs. 130,000. This year, however, the price range has increased to Rs. 150,000 to Rs. 200,000.
These current prices are already high, and experts predict that they will continue to rise as Eid approaches. Due to a shortage of cattle caused by smuggling and exports, there are fears that prices may reach even higher levels closer to Eid.
