Rates of goats, sheep as well as butcher charges have gone up by nearly 40%
Rates of goats, sheep as well as butcher charges have gone up by nearly 40%This Eid-ul-Zuha is going to be an expensive affair for city Muslims. Rates of sheep and goats meant for sacrifice on the auspicious day as well as butcher charges for their cleaning have gone up by 30-40 per cent in markets across the city. This year, the minimum price for a sheep or a goat is approximately Rs 7,000 as against last year's Rs 4,000 .
Gotcha? This year, the minimum price for a sheep or a goat is
approximately Rs 7,000, as against last year'su00a0Rs 4,000.pic/Madhusudan Maney "Prices of everything have gone up, so you can't really expect to get sheep or goats at the same prices.
Yes, a hike of Rs 3,000 is a steep one, but we can't help it. We have to make a living," said Eranna, a sheep seller from Sira.
"A sheep that could have been bought for Rs 4,000 last year is selling for not less than Rs 7,000 this year.
A big, healthy goat or sheep is not available for less than Rs 9,000," said Shakeel, who bought a sheep yesterday.
Thousands of goats and sheep have been brought to markets in the city from the surrounding districts.
The vast majority of sellers is from Sira, on the Bangalore-Pune highway, and adjoining places.
Dip in sales
Sellers said sales were low yesterday but are expected to pick up today and tomorrowu00a0-- the day of Bakri Eid.
"I brought 50 sheep on Monday and managed to sell only six. The sale has not picked up yet. It is expected to be good on Tuesday and Wednesday," said Dodanna, a sheep seller.
The demand for butchers is high during Eid-ul-Zuha and they have also hiked their charges for cleaning the animals.
From Rs 250 last year to nearly Rs 500 this year, the charges have nearly doubled. "Charges for cleaning big animals are between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000," said a butcher.
| Chinese goats |
| A trader in Mumbai has, for the first time, imported goats from China for sale during Bakri Eid. "Since the Chinese goats look very different, they immediately catch the fancy of buyers," said the trader, Asif Sheikh. "Children, who come along with their parents, often coax them into buying the Chinese breed." The breed, known as Chinese Zing, has sweeter and more succulent meat than that of the Indian variety, claimed Sheikh. The goats are priced between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000. |
