Traders expect brisk business despite rising prices
Srinagar: With Eid-ul-Adha approaching, the Eidgah ground in Srinagar has started witnessing a steady rush of people purchasing sacrificial animals, as traders from different parts of the country arrive in Kashmir with sheep and goats ahead of the festival.
The makeshift livestock market at Eidgah remained busy throughout the day, with buyers inspecting animals, negotiating prices and inquiring about different breeds.
Traders from Rajasthan, Punjab and other states have set up temporary tents at the venue, while local authorities have also made arrangements for water, fodder and other basic facilities.
Mohammad Isaaq Mir, a resident of Soura who visited the market to purchase a sacrificial animal, said prices this year vary according to breed and size, though the rush is comparatively low at present.
“Rates are high this year and mostly depend on the breed of the sheep. There is not much rush right now, but people are coming gradually as Eid draws nearer,” he said.
Another buyer, Abdul Rashid Khatana, who had come to Srinagar from Poonch to sell his goats and sheep, said many families are currently visiting the market to compare prices before making a final purchase.
“People are first surveying the market and checking rates at different places because sacrificial animals have become very expensive over the years. Most families are trying to purchase animals according to their affordability and budget,” he said.
Officials at the site said arrangements have been put in place to facilitate both traders and customers. Temporary tents have been established, while grass and fodder are also being made available for the animals.
A senior official from the district administration said sanitation and traffic management measures are being monitored in view of the increasing footfall at the market.
Meanwhile, traders expressed optimism about business in the coming days. Mohammad Ali, a livestock trader from Rajasthan who arrived in Srinagar with a consignment of sheep, said the market response so far has been encouraging.
“This year the market is looking good and we are expecting better sales in the coming days. People are visiting in large numbers and hopefully business will improve further closer to Eid,” he said.
Another trader, Shabir Ahmad from Anantnag, said transport costs and animal feed prices have increased significantly this year, affecting overall rates in the market.
“Expenses have gone up for traders as well. Transportation from outside states and feeding animals is costly, which is why prices are higher compared to previous years,” he said.
