This story is from October 5, 2014

Prices of goats shoot up before Eid

Prices of goats that are sacrificed on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha have shot up in the city.
Prices of goats shoot up before Eid

VADODARA: Prices of goats that are sacrificed on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha have shot up in the city. Sellers in 'bakra markets' in the city rue the fact that the supply of goats has gone down considerably this year causing the rise in prices.
Floods inundated parts of the city and surrounding areas in August, causing a lot of fodder loss and some goats also fell ill making them unfit for sacrifice.
The communal riots that gripped parts of the old city area during Navratri have also affected the business this year.
"Prices have gone up because supply is below average this year. We have lost many goats and are trying to cover our losses. When we raise a kid it costs us over Rs 300 per day and if we are unable to sell it for any reason we need to recover the investment," said Mohammed Zafar Sheikh, a trader at the Bhutadi Jhampa market.
However, the rise in prices could not dampen the festive mood. People are willing to pay Rs 25,000 or even more in order to be able to sacrifice a 'bakra' and fulfil their religious duty. Over 250 goats have already been sold in the city.
"Those who believe in the ritual follow it to the tiniest details. The price is definitely a factor but not for those who believe in the practice," said Lalabhai Shyamwala, a businessman who religiously sacrifices a goat every year.

However, some buyers are waiting to buy their goats after Eid as prices fall considerably in the days following the festival. "Religious sacrifice, or the 'qurbani', can be done till the evening of the third day following the day of Eid. I have been to many bazaars but the prices this year are above my budget. So, currently, I have no other choice than to do 'qurbani' after Eid," said Rameez Raja, a Naswadi resident, who has been scouring markets in Gujarat and Rajasthan since the last few weeks.
Many traders hail from Uttar Pradesh (UP) and specialize in high-breed goats. "But several of these have not come to the city this year because of the clashes between members of the same community from the city and UP," said Salim Khan, a goat trader, who hails from UP.
Punjabi, Hyderabadi, Ajmeri and Indori breeds are sought after by most customers and can cost up to Rs 1 lakh or more. "The costliest goat of this year so far has been a Hyderabadi with the characteristic white eyes. It was sold for Rs 1,11,786. There are a few more left which are of Indori and Punjabi breeds and will be sold for more than Rs 2 lakh each. It is an important festival for us and enjoying the meat-based meal is custom. People will not refrain from sacrificing just because the prices are high," said Z A Saiyed, a veteran city-based breeder of goats.
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