Goat prices skyrocket ahead of Bakrid

Patna: Preparation for Bakrid is in full swing in Patna, and nowhere is this more visible than at the Raja Bazar goat market, which draws hundreds of buyers and sellers every day. As the festival approaches, the market buzzes with energy from early morning until late into the night, reflecting the faith and excitement of thousands of devotees preparing for ‘qurbani’ (sacrificial rituals).Over 2,000 traders from various districts of Bihar, as well as neighbouring states like Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have brought a wide variety of goats. Popular breeds on display include ‘ajmeri’, ‘sirohi’, ‘barbari’, ‘totapari’ and ‘jamnapari’, alongside local desi goats.Buyers carefully inspect animals for health, size and breed, while sellers passionately negotiate prices. Goats are often named after celebrities like Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan for fun, adding a touch of local humour and excitement to the festive shopping.This year, prices have risen by nearly 25% compared to last year, mainly due to increased transportation costs and higher fuel prices.According to market coordinator Mohammad Ziaullah Khan, the highest-priced goat sold so far fetched Rs 1.5 lakh. “Named after Shah Rukh Khan, it was a beautiful ‘totapari’ breed brought from Jaipur. It weighed around 150kg. Another stunning animal, also weighing around the same, sold at Rs 1.25 lakh and was named after actor Salman Khan. Three ‘dumba’ (fat-tailed sheep) are still available at around Rs 1 lakh each. These animals are originally from Jammu and are brought and reared by some young entrepreneurs from Sultanganj in Bhagalpur,” he said.“While premium breeds command high prices, the strongest demand this season remains for indigenous goats — healthy local Bihar goats. Prices for these start from around Rs 11,000-12,000 for one-year-old animals weighing approximately 18-20kg live weight. Rates can go up to Rs 50,000-60,000 for better specimens, but most buyers are preferring good pairs in the Rs 30,000-35,000 range, which seems to be the sweet spot for both quality and affordability,” Khan told this newspaper on Monday.The market remains extremely busy despite the intense summer heat. To manage the conditions, a large tent has been set up, and arrangements have been made for continuous water supply from tankers for both people and animals. Due to the heat, the market sees heavy footfall from 6am to 10am and then again from 5pm till midnight or even 2am.So far, around 20,000 goats and sheep have arrived at Raja Bazar, of which nearly 15,000 have already been sold. With peak days still remaining, the momentum is expected to stay strong till the last moment before Bakrid.Patliputra Colony resident Zeeshan Ahmad said visiting Bakra mandi is more than just a shopping trip. It is a cherished ritual filled with faith, bargaining and religious spirit. “We are looking for some healthy goats, weighing around 20-25 kg. I, along with my two neighbours, came to buy six goats. It is better to buy in bulk, so that we can get animals at a better price and discounts,” he said.Akhlaque Quereshi, who came from Dumraon, said the business is good despite the summer heat. “The market remained packed till night. I sold around 50 animals and am expecting to make more business till May 28. Most people buy goats a day ahead or on the same day due to several reasons,” he said.Mohd Naseem, a seller from Ara, said buyers are preferring beautiful desi goats over premium species. “We are bringing more animals as the demand is high. Our second stock of animals will arrive by late evening,” he said.Golu Qureshi brought 100 goats of various breeds, including ‘totapari’, ‘barbari’, ‘desila’ and ‘videshi’ from the Ara district. He said he does not buy big boxes of ice because he has other arrangements. “We just give them cold water from the fridge whenever they need it to keep them fresh,” he said.Another seller, Mohammad Parvez Alam from Hajipur, brought 150 goats. He said his transport cost went from Rs 2,000 last year to Rs 2,400 this time. While he explained that a slight annual increase is normal, he emphasised that this year’s significant hike is driven by the fact that petrol and fuel prices are climbing day by day.