<p>Bengaluru: With Bakrid set to be celebrated on Saturday, sheep markets across the city have been witnessing increased activity, and stable prices are only helping businesses.</p>.<p>Contrary to the usual pre-festival spike, prices for popular varieties like Ameenagada and Bannur have remained consistent.</p>.<p>In traditional sheep hubs like the main market on Tannery Road, livestock are seen in the hundreds, while smaller markets, like Johnson Market, see very few live sheep. "Most customers bring sheep purchased elsewhere to be slaughtered here,” explained a butcher’s brother at Johnson Market.</p>.For goods loaders, shifting from Yeshwantpur APMC means higher rents, longer walks, empty plates.<p>Nadeem, 35, a Lingarajpuram-based businessman and seasonal livestock dealer, said, “Sales are low during the week, but on the eve of Bakrid and the festival day, demand shoots up.”</p>.<p>This surge typically drives up prices, but sellers like Mohsin, 36, report a 10% price drop this year due to poor infrastructure. “The new, smaller market enclosures have limited the number of sheep each vendor can keep,” he added.</p>.<p>At the HRBR Layout sheep market, Sayid Abdul Jabbar, 60, a retired BSNL employee-turned-sheep trader, sells only the Ameenagada breed, known for its aesthetic appeal and taste. “Choosing a sheep is like choosing a bride — customers look for beauty and structure,” he remarked.</p>.<p>Despite the breed’s high value, Jabbar claims to make only Rs 1,000 profit per sheep, attributing the quality to the premium feed and care Ameenagada farmers give their livestock.</p>.<p>While meat preferences shift and middlemen play their part, businessman Karthik, 30, noted, “Everything is moving from one place to another… it is not in our hands.”</p>.<p>As buyers seek the best pick for the festival, the market buzz is expected to peak on Bakrid itself.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: With Bakrid set to be celebrated on Saturday, sheep markets across the city have been witnessing increased activity, and stable prices are only helping businesses.</p>.<p>Contrary to the usual pre-festival spike, prices for popular varieties like Ameenagada and Bannur have remained consistent.</p>.<p>In traditional sheep hubs like the main market on Tannery Road, livestock are seen in the hundreds, while smaller markets, like Johnson Market, see very few live sheep. "Most customers bring sheep purchased elsewhere to be slaughtered here,” explained a butcher’s brother at Johnson Market.</p>.For goods loaders, shifting from Yeshwantpur APMC means higher rents, longer walks, empty plates.<p>Nadeem, 35, a Lingarajpuram-based businessman and seasonal livestock dealer, said, “Sales are low during the week, but on the eve of Bakrid and the festival day, demand shoots up.”</p>.<p>This surge typically drives up prices, but sellers like Mohsin, 36, report a 10% price drop this year due to poor infrastructure. “The new, smaller market enclosures have limited the number of sheep each vendor can keep,” he added.</p>.<p>At the HRBR Layout sheep market, Sayid Abdul Jabbar, 60, a retired BSNL employee-turned-sheep trader, sells only the Ameenagada breed, known for its aesthetic appeal and taste. “Choosing a sheep is like choosing a bride — customers look for beauty and structure,” he remarked.</p>.<p>Despite the breed’s high value, Jabbar claims to make only Rs 1,000 profit per sheep, attributing the quality to the premium feed and care Ameenagada farmers give their livestock.</p>.<p>While meat preferences shift and middlemen play their part, businessman Karthik, 30, noted, “Everything is moving from one place to another… it is not in our hands.”</p>.<p>As buyers seek the best pick for the festival, the market buzz is expected to peak on Bakrid itself.</p>