Eid-ul-Adha 2026: Prices of sacrificial animals increased

KARACHI: Due to the increase in demand for sacrificial animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha and inflation, the prices of livestock are being seen to increase significantly across Pakistan.

Last year, a goat that yielded about 25 kg of meat was priced between Rs 50,000 and 60,000, while this year, a goat of the same quality is being sold for Rs 60,000 to 70,000.

Large and high-breed goats, which were priced at about Rs 150,000 last year, have now reached about Rs 160,000.

Similarly, the prices of cows have also increased. Last year, a good-breed cow weighing about three pounds was available for Rs 180,000 to 200,000. This year, although the supply of cattle is higher due to the closure of borders, the prices are still expected to be around Rs 200,000.

The price of a bull share (for seven people) in mosques has been fixed at Rs 28,000 to 32,000 per share.

There are several cattle farms in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad where sacrificial animals are raised throughout the year. The price of high-quality bulls in these farms ranges from Rs 500,000 to Rs 500,000, while the price of some special breed animals in Karachi exceeds Rs 10 million.

May 2026 could prove to be a holiday-filled month for Pakistani citizens, with official and weekly holidays, as well as possible holidays for Youm-e-Takbir and Eid-ul-Adha, making a total of 14 to 15 days of holidays.

If the moon is sighted on May 17, then Eid-ul-Adha is likely to fall between May 27 and 29, which could result in five consecutive days of holidays when combined with weekly holidays.

According to Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, a meeting has been called for May 17 to sight the moon of Dhul-Hijjah, after which the final date of Eid-ul-Adha will be announced.