‘Totapari’ pricier as sales likely to pick up in city goat markets

PATNA: With Eid-ul-Zuha, popularly known as Bakrid, likely on June 29, the city is abuzz with preparations for the festive occasion. The local Bakra market is witnessing a surge of devout Muslims who gear up to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, creating a vibrant and joyous atmosphere.
The market is teeming with diverse and beautiful goat breeds, including Totapari (Rajasthani breed) for its aesthetics, Jamunapari (UP breed) for its majestic size, Barbari (UP breed) for its compact size and good meat quality and Black Bengal for its adaptability and distinct black coat.
Mohammad Ziaullah Khan, the coordinator of goat market near Jagdeo Path said, “With only 25% of sales completed, Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the busiest market days. Most sales this year range between Rs20,000 and 25,000 for goat pairs, but Totapari is pricier, starting from Rs50,000. The highest price this year was Rs81,000 for a Totapari purchased by a Sultanganj resident. However, the Black Bengal from Bihar is also in high demand due to taste preferences of the region.”
Furthermore, goat prices have surged significantly, reaching up to Rs800/kg. During Bakrid, healthy goats are preferred and can be priced at around Rs1000/kg. Budget constraints often lead individuals to compromise and choose goats within their financial means, he added.
“With over 50 years of family experience in the livestock business, we have witnessed significant changes in consumer habits. In the past, people would acquire sacrificial animals early and care for them for 1-2 years before the ritual. However, due to the apartment living, accommodating animals has become difficult,” said Khan.
Some residents have already purchased their goats. Aurangzeb Khan of Sitamarhi said, “I live in a joint family where we usually sacrifice 14-15 goats each year. Personally, I have a fondness for petting goats, so I make sure to choose the best breed and raise them for two years.”
Humaira Khan, a resident of Sabzibagh said, “I live in an apartment with my husband and kids. While our village celebrates ‘Bakra Eid’ with grand festivities, our celebration is relatively simpler. We usually purchase goats just a day before the festival and send them to the local madrassa for sacrifice.”
Rajesh Yadav, a goat trader from Sitamarhi said, “The demand for different breeds has certainly changed over the years. Earlier, there was more focus on long-term petting, but now customers prefer smaller and affordable goats due to space constraints.”