Eid-ul-Azha is only days away, and Dhaka's animal markets are slowly filling up as traders bring cattle and goats from across the country. Sales have already begun, and this year demand for goats has risen alongside demand for cattle.

That was the picture on 12 June at Gabtoli, the city's only permanent animal market.

Traders said goats are in demand for two main reasons. First, many people cannot afford to buy a cow on their own, so rather than take a share in a cow they sacrifice a goat by themselves, which costs somewhat less. Second, many wealthy people who sacrifice several cattle also buy a few goats. For every class of buyer, rich, middle-class or those on a small budget, goats are available at Gabtoli from Tk 8,000 to Tk 1.5 lakh. Traders say they have brought no foreign goats; all are local.

Various local breeds of goat are on sale near the main levy (hasil) booth at the Gabtoli entrance. That day Jamir Uddin Mia, who came from Savar, bought a goat for Tk 8,000. He said he had bought a goat for sacrifice because he could not afford a cow.

"I bought a sacrificial goat for eight thousand taka, son," Jamir Uddin Mia said. "I can't afford to sacrifice a cow worth a lakh. Your aunt is ill, and the sons don't look after us. I must make a sacrifice in the way of Allah, so I bought this goat."

Many wealthy people are also buying goats for sacrifice, as sacrificing goats alongside cattle is a custom for many. One of them is Awlad Haji of Gabtoli, who is sacrificing four large cattle this year along with four large goats. He had already bought the cattle and came to the market for the goats.

"I sacrifice goats along with cattle every time," Awlad Haji said. "I have four daughters and two sons. Two sons and one daughter don't eat beef. I can't leave them out, so I sacrifice goats as well. For that I bought four goats for Tk 2 lakh 20 thousand."

The supply of goats at the market has risen ahead of Eid, and all are local. Most have come from Manikganj, the chars along the Padma, Pabna, Rajshahi, Khulna, Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga and Jhenaidah. Goats from Fatikchhari in Chattogram are also on sale. Traders are also buying goats at markets around the country and selling them at Gabtoli.

Traders say goats selling for Tk 8,000 will give about seven kilograms of meat, while a large local goat priced at Tk 1.5 lakh will give 100kg. Depending on size, goats are also selling for Tk 9,000 to Tk 50,000.

Babul Mia is a veteran goat trader at Gabtoli who does business at the market all year round and has made his living selling goats for 30 years. This time he has brought 400 to 500 goats.

"There is demand for goats," Babul Mia told Jagonews24. "Many people can't afford to sacrifice a cow. You won't get a good cow for less than a lakh taka. But everyone can sacrifice a goat for less. Rich and poor alike like to sacrifice goats. Many people like goat meat, and many who like beef can't eat it for various reasons."

That day the asking price for a large goat was Tk 1 lakh 50 thousand. A white Ram Chhagol, or Jamunapari, goat had been daubed with yellow spots to make it look attractive, giving it the look of a deer.

Its owner, Shahin Bepari, said: "This goat will give 100kg of meat. I'll let it go if I get Tk 1.5 lakh."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.