Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jun 28: The mutton market in Kashmir has been grappling with various challenges in recent years, primarily due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and sluggish market demand, the dealers said.
Mehraj ud Din, General Secretary of Mutton Dealers Kashmir, said that from 2019 to 2021, there was COVID-19 trauma which resulted in low market demand. However, in 2022, the market improved slightly, but the current condition this year is not favorable, he added.
“While the years 2019 to 2021 witnessed a subdued market due to the COVID-19 trauma, the year 2022 brought a glimmer of hope. However, the current year has presented a different story, with market conditions far from ideal. Both supply and demand have been affected, resulting in a decline in market flow,” he said. “Compared to previous years, the market flow is declining, and we cannot provide accurate supply data as we are catering to the demands of the market. Our stock includes various varieties such as Kaju Wala, Desi, Marwar, Haryanvi, Gujarati, and others.”
According to our preference, we source stock from outside states as the local stock has not been adequately nourished, considering the season for full readiness of the livestock has not yet arrived, Din said.
On the current market situation and estimated data of stock sold, he said that people are still purchasing stock, and the exact data can only be determined after Eid. We collect data from all around and then compare the daily figures to reveal the accurate numbers after Eid, he said.
The livestock sellers at Srinagar’s famous Eidgah Ground also informed that the market is “very sluggish, similar to last year when the market was also slow”.
Ten to fifteen days ago, the market was bustling with crowds, but this year, there is a low footfall here at Eidgah, Noor Mohammad, a local livestock seller, said, adding that the prices are reasonable, but the number of people is significantly less.
“The prices are almost the same everywhere, but there is a difference in breed. Some prefer local livestock while others prefer those from outside. Sheep and goats also have varying prices depending on their breed,” he said.
Talking about the prices, another livestock seller said a goat costs around 320 to 330 rupees per kilogram, while a sheep costs between Rs 400 and 450/kg. It mainly depends upon the breed, he informed.
Meanwhile, locals purchasing sacrificial animals at the Eidgah Srinagar said the prices here are mixed. “There is a wide availability of breeds,” they said.
