Bridled animals in unbridled cattle markets of KP

PESHAWAR: The buyers on Saturday complained of high prices of sacrificial animals with the approach of Eidul Azha.

Several buyers at Kala Mandi, a cattle market on the Grand Trunk (GT) Road, told The News that the dealers demanded high prices for their cattle-head.“I and my brother have come to buy a medium-sized cow but the prices are high and beyond our expectations,” said local citizen Muhammad Quresh Khalil.

He said the price of a medium-sized animal was between Rs60,000 to Rs75,000.“We offered to pay Rs52,000 for a normal sized cow but found out that it was not fit for the sacrifice when we checked its teeth,” he said.

Khalil said he had offered Rs45,000 for another cattle but the dealer mocked him, saying he should buy a sheep instead of a cow or buffalo.“I am now thinking to buy a young buffalo as their prices are relatively low and affordable,” he added.

He criticised the government for not keeping a check on the prices of the cattle, adding that the dealers were exploiting the situation to make extra profits and fleece customers.Hayatur Rehman, another buyer, shared similar views, saying the dealers offered high prices, which made it difficult for people to buy an animal of their choice at a reasonable price. One Roohul Amin said he was searching for an animal for the past five days but could not buy one due to the high prices fixed by the dealers as per their own will.

“The dealers are demanding Rs100,000 for a cattle, which is in fact worth Rs70,000 to Rs75,000,” he added. He said the prices of the animals had come down in the last several days and hoped that these would decrease further in the next two to three days.

“The prices would drop further because the dealers will stop demanding high prices to sell their cattle on the eve of Eidul Azha,” he added.Abdul Rehman, a trader, did not agree, saying that Afghanistan provided an alternative market for the dealers and they would export their cattle-head there.

The dealers dispelled the impression of high prices as they said that buyers offered low prices. Some dealers said customers were not willing to pay reasonable prices.“The buyers wanted to buy an animal worth Rs140,000 for just Rs90,000 to Rs100,000. We can’t afford to accept such offers. We have brought the animals to make profit,” said Babar, a trader.

He said that he had brought 24 animals and sold nine so far.“I have already incurred Rs12,000 loss and the situation is not promising as the buyers offer very low prices,” he lamented.

He said the buyers come, asked the price and then leave.“All the buyers who have come to me so far offered Rs100,000 for this bull, which is worth Rs140,000,” he said, pointing towards his bull which he claimed weighed up to 500kg.

Toor Gul, a butcher who runs a meat shop in the Karkhano Market, had also come to buy some cattle for his shop. He found the prices suitable and affordable.He bought a cow for Rs66,000 after successful bargaining although the dealers were demanding Rs71,000 for the animal.

“The buyers have no experience of bargaining with the dealers as a majority of them only buy cattle for Eid. The dealers know this and want to cash in on the opportunity,” he remarked.A majority of the people prefer collective sacrifice due to the high prices of sacrificial animals while some people mostly in urban areas buy a sheep or a goat for the sacrifice on Eid.

Mehrab Gul, another dealer, said that though the rush of people could be seen in the market most of them came to check the market and prices of the animals.He admitted that the dealers were demanding high prices, but hoped that the prices would come down in two to three days.“The dealers will stop demanding high prices and the buyers will also start offering decent rates as the Eid draws closer,” he remarked.