PESHAWAR: As Eidul Azha approaches, trading activity in sacrificial animals has intensified across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar’s weekly cattle markets, where prices of livestock have surged amid increasing transportation and input costs.

Visits to various cattle markets revealed that traders were charging high prices for sacrificial animals, though there was no shortage in supply this year. Traders said the province had received a larger number of animals compared to last year, with more than 80 per cent of sacrificial livestock being transported from Punjab.

Livestock dealers attributed the price hike mainly to the rising cost of petroleum products, which has significantly increased transportation expenses.

Talking to Dawn, Ziaullah, owner of a private cattle farm at Scheme Chowk on Kohat Road, said expenses related to fodder, medicines and labour had risen sharply over the past year.

Livestock dealers attribute price hike to rising cost of petroleum products

“We have purchased hundreds of animals and kept them at a temporary farm in Pattoki, Punjab, from where they will be brought to Peshawar a few days before Eid,” he said.

He expressed concern over the disparity in electricity supply and utility costs between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“It is surprising that electricity is produced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, yet monthly power bills in Punjab are comparatively lower, and loadshedding is minimal there. Fodder is available at almost half the price, while skilled labour is cheaper and more easily available in Punjab,” he added.

At the Sarband cattle market on Bara Road, another trader, Salman Khan, alleged that livestock transporters faced frequent extortion at police checkpoints.

“Police checkpoints begin as soon as vehicles leave Punjab, and now bribes are even being demanded on motorways,” he claimed.

Traders at Kala Mandi in Nasirpur said another factor behind inflated prices was the growing number of inexperienced dealers entering the livestock business. They said many newcomers lacked market knowledge and often placed unnecessarily high bids in an attempt to outcompete one another.

They added that livestock supply this year was abundant and warned that the situation could have become more difficult had trade routes with Afghanistan remained fully operational. Traders also pointed to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf, saying it had weakened Pakistan’s meat exports.

According to dealers, many Afghan traders had either returned to Afghanistan or avoided travelling to Punjab due to fears of arrest by police.

In markets located on Kohat Road and Charsadda Road, traders reported a noticeable increase in the prices of goats and sheep. They said border closures between Pakistan and Afghanistan had disrupted the traditional livestock trade.

Several Afghan shepherds residing in Pakistan reportedly sold off their animals to butchers and restaurant owners before returning to Afghanistan, resulting in reduced availability of goats and sheep in the market.

Rahimullah, a goat trader, said breeds such as Kohistani, Bannuwal, Waziristani and Kohi remained popular due to their tasty meat, although they generally yielded less meat compared to other breeds.

“These smaller animals are mostly preferred by hotels and restaurants because they are cheaper to purchase and generate better profit margins,” he said.

In Malakand division, traders said Balkhi sheep remained highly popular among buyers. However, due to their high prices, many customers were opting instead for the long-tailed “American breed” sheep.

Apart from rising animal prices, buyers also complained about hefty entry fees charged by contractors at cattle markets.

Traders said the Palosi cattle market in Peshawar was currently the only major market where no fee was charged, making livestock comparatively affordable there. Similarly, prices at the Sarband market on Bara Road were considered reasonable, while entry charges remained relatively low.

The Sarband market also operates throughout the year and is known for large-scale trading in dairy cows. Goats and sheep are available there on a daily basis, while online livestock trading through video blogs has also gained popularity.

Despite the growing number of animals arriving at markets each day, traders warned that there were inadequate arrangements to prevent the spread of livestock diseases.

They said the absence of timely spraying and veterinary measures could lead to outbreaks of contagious diseases among animals ahead of Eidul Azha.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2026