Prices for sheep ahead of Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) have gone up in Hyderabad. Traders are selling a pair of sheep for between Rs 28,000 and Rs 30,000, which is Rs 8,000 more than last year. This means Muslims planning to sacrifice animals on Bakrid are struggling to find an animal within their budget. In temporary markets in Balapur and Mehdipatnam last year, the cost of a pair of sheep was between Rs 23,000 and Rs 25,000. This year, however, it has risen to Rs 30,000. Bakrid falls on June 29 and is observed on the 10th day of the last Islamic month ‘Zilhajjah’.
The faithful sacrifice animals for three days. In this month, Haj is also performed. It takes place between the eighth and 13th days of the last lunar month. In city temporary markets, small sheep start at Rs 25,000 per pair while medium-sized goats range between Rs 30,000 and Rs 32,000. Cattle prices start from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh each. Majid Ali of Tolichowki visited the sheep market in Balapur and negotiated a deal for a pair of animals for Rs 30,000. He said this was higher than last year when he paid Rs 22,000 for a pair which yielded 14 kg meat.
