Srinagar- With just a few days remaining until Eid-ul-Azha, the sacrificial animal market at Eidgah Srinagar is experiencing an unusual slowdown. Traditionally a bustling hub of activity, this year’s market is seeing fewer buyers, much to the dismay of sellers.
Imran Mir, a seller who has traveled from Handwara, has the most expensive sheep in the market, priced at a hefty 70,000 rupees. However, Mir is struggling to find a buyer willing to meet the price. “This year, the market is very slow. People just don’t have the money to spend,” Mir said.
Another seller Ghulam Muhammad echoed Mir’s views, attributing the decline in purchasing power to ongoing economic hardships exacerbated by the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. “Ever since the Article 370 was revoked, economic conditions have worsened for many people here. It’s become harder for them to afford even essential purchases, let alone sacrificial animals,” he said.
Ghulam Rasool Dar, a buyer from Qamarwari said that the inconsistency in animal prices has added to the market’s unpredictability.
“The rates are fluctuating. Yesterday, sheep were being sold for 400 rupees per kg, but today, the price has dropped to 380 rupees per kg. There’s no regulation, and it’s making it difficult for buyers,” Dar explained.
Earlier, General Secretary of Mutton Dealers Association Kashmir, Mehraj-ud-Din said there is a discrepancy between supply and sales.
“Sales have not met our expectations so far, but the true level of consumption will become clear after Eid,” he said.
The reduced buzz and economic strain suggest that this year’s Eid-ul-Azha celebrations may be more subdued than usual for many families in Srinagar. As the festival approaches, both buyers and sellers are hoping for some last-minute activity to uplift the market’s spirits.
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