Cattle markets across Pakistan have become highly active ahead of Eid-ul-Adha 2026, with thousands of buyers visiting daily amid a sharp rise in prices of sacrificial animals, 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday.
Major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar, are witnessing heavy crowds in cattle markets from morning till late evening.
Authorities in Karachi have also allowed the establishment of new cattle markets to facilitate citizens during the Eid season.
Prices rise sharply amid inflation
Market trends show a significant increase in prices, driven by higher fuel costs, transport expenses, and rising feed costs.
Current estimated prices include:
Goats: Rs 60,000 to Rs 250,000
Cows: Rs 200,000 to Rs 700,000
Bulls: Rs 300,000 to Rs 1,000,000
Camels: starting above Rs 400,000
Prices vary depending on weight, breed, health, size, local demand, and location.
Heavy crowds in markets
Buyers are increasingly visiting markets in the evening to find better deals and wider choices, while traders bring animals from rural and urban areas for sale.
Social media videos of healthy and attractive animals are also gaining popularity, further boosting demand.
Reasons behind rising costs
Traders and buyers cite multiple factors behind rising prices, including:
Overall inflation
Increased cost of animal feed
Higher petrol and diesel prices
Expensive transport logistics
Rising cost of livestock maintenance
Strong seasonal demand ahead of Eid
Public concerns and trends
Many citizens say sacrificing animals has become more expensive compared to previous years, particularly affecting middle-income groups. As a result, trends such as collective Qurbani arrangements and online sacrificial services are also increasing.
Administrative measures
Local authorities have deployed arrangements for:
Security and crowd control
Sanitation
Veterinary health checks
Traffic management
Officials have also advised buyers to carefully inspect animal health, avoid rushed purchases, compare market rates, and remain cautious of possible fraud during transactions.