Hyderabad sheep markets thrive ahead of Bakri Eid

As Eid-ul-Adha nears, Hyderabad’s sheep markets are witnessing a surge in activity with traders arriving from across India. Prices vary based on weight, health, and breed, with temporary markets set up citywide to meet growing festive demand.

Hyderabad: With Eid Al Adha, the festival popularly known as Bakri Eid, round the corner, the sheep markets in Hyderabad are thriving with traders from different States arriving to sell sheep and goats for the festival.

The Eid ul Adha falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja, the twelfth and final month of the Hijri calendar and will be celebrated on Saturday.

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At the Jiyaguda and Golnaka markets, the sheep arrivals have increased in the last few days with people visiting the place to select and purchase the sacrificial animal.

“A sheep yielding 10 to 12 kilograms of meat is priced at Rs. 11,000 in the market while the bigger one costs more. In the next few days the prices might fall due to arrivals from other States,” said K Shiva Lal, a sheep trader at the market.

There are 50 odd commission agents at the Jiyaguda market and two dozen at the Golnaka market who facilitate the sale of the sheep daily. The cattle stocks arrive at the market from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and other states in big trucks and put on sale.

“The sheep fetch a good price for the cattle rearer in the city. In the run up to the festival, they strike a deal with local traders here and bring the cattle and sell it. They earn good profits,” said Moin Qureshi, an agent at Jiyaguda.

There is an escalation in the prices of sheep during Bakrid due to demand. “Sacrificial sheep cost a little more than regular sheep because of certain specifications like the age of the animal and health condition,” said K Mohan, a cattle seller from Mahabubnagar.

Temporary markets have also come up at Jalpally, Falaknuma, Barkas, Tolichowki, Khilwat, City College, Chanchalguda, Pahadishareef, Rajendranagar and Yakutpura.

A few youngsters have also entered into the business and after procuring the sheep from districts are selling it at different places in the city.