Traders are hopeful of brisk business closer to Eid-Al-Azha on June 7
MUMBAI – Goat markets have begun operating across Muslim-populated areas of Mumbai ahead of Eid-Al-Azha, but buyers are yet to show up in large numbers. Though hundreds of goats have been brought in from various parts of the country, sellers say the real business will begin closer to Eid on June 7.
Most traders in these temporary markets are quietly watching and waiting. Many believe the low turnout is not a sign of poor sales but simply a matter of timing. There is still a week for the Eid, and experience tells them that buying picks up around four to five days before the festival.
A goat trader, Abdul Rehman, who is popularly known as Pappu, said, “Buyers are coming, but not many. The reason for this is that people are waiting for the Eid to approach and we are also not in a hurry because there is still time. The goats will be sold quickly in a few days.”
He was standing near his wooden pen, where at least two dozen goats of various sizes and colours were tied. Children surrounded the area, admiring the goats and occasionally reaching out to pat them. Most families had come to take a look, rather than make a purchase.
Goat sellers like Abdul Jabbar Khan shared a similar view. “Buyers are coming, but most of them are leaving after looking. The traders are hoping to get a better price, and from the customers’ behaviour, it seems that they are waiting for more animals to arrive and prices to fall,” he said.
Outside the goat enclosures, smaller vendors have set up stalls selling tree leaves, straw, bells, and colourful ropes used to decorate the animals. For them too, the market is yet to get busy, though they expect sales to pick up soon.
There is a clear preference among buyers for white goats, especially those weighing between 40 to 90 kilograms. White goats are usually more expensive. According to traders, a white goat weighing 40 to 60 kg is selling for around ₹600 per kilogram. A larger white goat weighing 60 to 90 kg is priced at ₹650 per kilogram. Once a goat crosses 90 kilograms, it is no longer sold by weight — instead, buyers must negotiate a total price.
Red-coloured goats, which are mainly brought in from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, are slightly cheaper. A red goat weighing between 40 to 60 kg costs ₹500 per kilogram, while those between 60 to 90 kg cost ₹580 per kilogram. Goats over 90 kg in this category are sold without weighing.
A resident named Imran Shaikh said, “I came to see the goats and check the rates. Prices seem high right now. Maybe they will come down next week when more goats arrive.” He added that the current prices are difficult for middle-class families to afford.
Meanwhile, the market is also a place of excitement for children, who gather near the fences in large numbers. Some even give names to the goats they see. Many can be heard discussing which goat looks the strongest or has the most attractive fur.
One reason why most families are delaying their purchase is the lack of space to keep the animals at home. In Mumbai’s crowded neighbourhoods, people often wait until the last few days before Eid to avoid the hassle of taking care of the animal for too long.
A young man named Faizan Ansari explained, “My flat is small, and we can’t keep a goat for too many days. That’s why we plan to buy it only three or four days before Eid. Right now, we are just looking.”
For now, most sellers are patient. They are confident that the market will become active in the coming days, and all the animals will be sold before Eid. Traders say they are ready to adjust prices depending on how demand shifts closer to the festival.
The goat markets in Mumbai are slowly coming to life. While the pens are full and the goats fed and groomed, the real rush is still to come. For now, it’s a wait-and-watch situation for both buyers and sellers.
As Abdul Rehman said with a smile, “The market looks quiet now, but just wait for a few more days. You won’t even find space to stand here.”
