Demand for live goats, sheep and mountain goats has gone up in the Kathmandu Valley with the start of the festival. A large number of animals and fowl are slaughtered for feasting during the holidays.

Traders from across the country and India have gathered in Kathmandu to sell goats during the festival rush. Around 400 traders have been selling goats from various places like Khasi Bazaar in Kalanki, Koteshwor, Chabahil, Balaju Bypass and other locations. According to Deepak Thapa, president of the Nepal Livestock Traders Association, around 40,000 goats will be sold for Dashain.  

State-owned Nepal Food Corporation has also been selling goats and mountain goats from its outlet located at Thapathali. It has fixed the price at Rs435 per kg for goats weighing less than 25 kg. Goats weighing more than 25 kg have been priced at Rs445 per kg. Mountain goats cost Rs630 per kg.

However, NFC has procured fewer goats and mountain goats this year due to a halt

in the collection process.

The company has brought more than 381 goats and 692 mountain goats respectively this season, a far cry from the figure of 3,000-3,500 in previous years.

Traders said that some of the goats being sold in the valley had come from places like Dhading, Nepalgunj, Salyan, Dang, Gaighat, Nuwakot, Makwanpur and Dhading, while others had been imported from India.

Murari Gaire from Dhading who sells goats at Khasi Bazaar, Kalanki, said that he was happy that his goats got a good price this year as very few animals from India and Tarai had arrived. “Last year, I lost money as Indian goats were available at a cheaper rate, but I hope I will make a good profit this year,” he said.

Meanwhile, consumers have complained that prices of live goats and mountain goats have gone up.

Traders said that they had brought fewer goats and sheep as the fuel crisis triggered by the unofficial blockade by India and strikes in the Tarai had affected the collection process.

Goat prices have soared to Rs450 to Rs485 per kg from Rs425 to Rs435 per kg a week ago. Similarly, mountain goats are being sold at Rs800 per kg, against Rs700 to Rs750 per kg last month.

Rekha Upreti from Battisputali, who was buying goats at Khasi Bazaar, Kalanki, said that she had to pay Rs1,000 more this year.

“We had bought a goat weighing 31 kg for Rs13,500 last year, but this time we have to pay Rs14,500 for a goat of the same size,” she complained.