January 11, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 10, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 10: With arrival of record number of sacrificial animals Karachi again became the largest temporary animal market this year. According to an estimate, Eid related business touched the mark of Rs6 to Rs7 billion within 20 to 25 days.

The business potential attracted a few established exporters who set up their camps at the market. Sacrificial animals mostly came from Punjab and interiors of Sindh. The central animal market was set up at Suhrab Goath market at Super Highway. Smaller markets were also set up at some locations in four districts of the city.

Sellers and managers of the markets estimated that a total of 350,000 animals were brought into the super highway market while other four markets could have received 25 per cent in addition to the superhighway market. The cattle mainly dominated by cows and oxen were sold at an average price of Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 each.

With the conservative price of Rs20,000 for a cow and Rs5,000 per goat or sheep, some Rs7 billion were said to have changed hands in the city within the short period of 20 to 25 days. Some consider the figure to be too conservative.

However, the increasing amount of money in the business attracted a few businessmen who first time established their camps in the central cattle market at the Super Highway.

They came up with some new ideas in the market. At some such stalls buyers were provided life history of animals with details about age, race, eating habit, weight and even guidelines to the prospective owner about the behaviour of the animal. The turnover and the margin drew some known businessmen who are primarily involved in different fields. For example transport firm Metro Company and Dilpasand Sweets were also found selling animals.

Some observers feel that involvement of corporate sector in this area of business can alter the scene of animal market drastically. If organized on scientific lines this business has potential to support growth in dairy industry in Karachi and Sindh. This could also bring down the prices as the cost of transportation from Punjab is too high which adds at least 10 per cent in the prices of animals.

A visit to these markets, however, was not that pleasant experience as arrangements for the temporary market were extremely poor despite a huge income earned by the contractors of the markets. The contractors were charging Rs400 per cow and Rs170 per goat or sheep. The calculation shows that the contractors earned up to Rs110 million. It was observed that the market could be converted into more attractive place for the buyers as well as sellers through making some initial investment before the arrival of cattle.

The super highway market has been established on lands of residential societies like Makhdoom Abad. The residents of nearby housing localities complained of great inconvenience. They said that sometimes even the water and drainage systems are damaged which requires heavy investment for repairing. They said that the market should be shifted to at least five to eight kilometres away from its current location.