BENGALURU: Goat traders are doing brisk business in the city ahead of Bakrid with the Bannur and Sira breeds of sheep being more in demand. One specially raised Bannur sheep was sold for `1.25 lakh on Sunday at Doddi in Shivajinagar while a Sira sheep commanded a price of `75,000 on Jayamahal Main Road.
Rayanna, a seller from Tumkuru, said there are a few sheep breeds that are in high demand like Bannur, Sira, Sindhanur aka Yalaginda, Bagevadi aka Kukumpalli and Haryana. Among these, the preference is for Bannur and Sira breeds as many prefer them for their weight and taste of mutton.
“Since lat Monday, I have sold more than 80 sheep. Last year, I sold lesser. Many buy Bannur sheep as it is a prestige issue. The price goes up to `1.8 lakh,” he said.
Nagaraju, another seller, said that Idgah Ground in Chamarajpet is the main hub for sheep business, where more than 500 sheep are sold every day.“I usually buy from farmers who breed the sheep and sell it in village fairs. Then, I bring it to Bengaluru and sell it. This year, I sold about 40 sheep in two days,” he said.
There are more than 500 sellers across the city, who come from neighbouring districts and stay here for a week to sell them.
Shoaib, a resident of R T Nagar, said the price of sheep has gone up by at least 40 per cent compared to last year. “I bought two sheep for `30,000. Of them, one will be donated to poor people,” he said.