Sales of goats in the Kathmandu Valley are likely to increase by 8 to 10 percent this Dashain, the biggest festival of Hindus in the country. The Valley saw sales of around 50,000 goats during the last festive season, which lasts for 15 days. This year, demand for goats in the Valley is likely to hover around 54,000 to 55,000 units, according to the Livestock Traders Association.

During the festival of Dashain, thousands of goats are either sacrificed for ritual or for consumption, pushing up sales of these animals. The festival also sees a sharp hike in demand for mountain goats. Around 15,000 mountain goats are sold in the Valley during Dashain. Mountain goats are mostly imported from Mustang and Tibet, China.

“Like in previous years, we are expecting goat sales to go up during the festive season,” Livestock Traders Association President Govinda Pathak said. “But sales have not begun yet. So, we are unable to say the rate at which demand will go up.” Sales of these animals generally surge from Panchami, the fifth day of Dashain, which falls on Monday. The demand continues to rise until the ninth day of Dashain.

To cater to this demand, livestock traders have already started bringing in goats to the Valley. “As of now, we have not been able to bring in all the goats required for the Valley,” said Pathak, adding, “Around 35,000 to 40,000 goats arrived at Kalanki’s goat market on Thursday alone.” Imports of goats began from Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain.

A big number of goats sold at Kalanki goat market—which is one of the biggest in the country—is imported from India. The market is made up of 30 stalls owned by goat traders. Kalanki goat market supplies live goats to most of the fresh meat stores and other goat markets in the Valley.

Goats are also brought in from Surkhet, Dang, Salyan, Banke, Gaighat, Makwanpur, Dhading, Nuwakot and neighbouring districts of the Valley.

These goats are sold at Rs13,000 to Rs30,000 each on the basis of their weight and quality. “Live goat per kg will cost around Rs480 this Dashain. The price might go up if demand goes up,” said Ramesh Maharjan, an accountant at the Livestock Traders Association.