Sheep trade steady after three years, say traders

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Livestock markets in the city have been seeing vigorous sales of sheep and goats ahead of Eid al-Adha, the ‘Festival of Sacrifice', which will be celebrated on June 29 this year.

Traders at Chamrajpet Eidgah Maidan told News Trail that the last few years had been hard on them due to Covid induced lockdowns and then the Eidgah Maidan controversy last year. Although farmers and traders from various places come and sell their animals at the temporary markets in Bengaluru, many local businesses and groups of youngsters also do seasonal business before the Eid in hope of making some money.

"The business and the people here have already suffered much. We don't want to burden the customers to gain more profit from them," Sajid Khan, a sheep trader from Balapur said.

As there is no significant rise in the price, the demand for local consumption has picked up quickly. However there is a possibility of the price going up next week. Sheep of different varieties such as Amingad or Yalaga, Bannur, Sira, Bagevadi and Malpura are available at the markets and people buy the best and healthy animals according to their buying capacity.

Syed Maaz, who was buying sheep for the first time, said, "There are so many different breeds and varieties here. A seller quoted Rs 20,000 for a white Amingad sheep and we managed to strike a deal for Rs 18,000," he said.

One specially raised Bannur sheep was sold for Rs 1.25 lakh on Wednesday at Chamarajpet while another Sira sheep commanded a price of Rs 80,000. A Bannur breed- priced between 20,000 and 55,000- continues to be high in demand while Amingad breed also is one of the favourites and most expensive, but there isn't a uniform price.

"The cost of 1kg of meat of this variety is Rs 600, whereas, other breeds may cost Rs 300 or more," said Tariq Mohsin, who runs T & A Goat Farm in Kengeri. "The price of the sheep depends on the breed and also its health.

The famed Amingad sheep is in great demand especially because of the fat content, looks, healthy body and a unique taste," he added.