Muslims around the world in Eid al-Adha, including those in the Kurdistan Region, sacrifice animals including sheep, calves, and goats every year, as hundreds of buyers negotiate deals in Duhok’s livestock market.
This year, the market price rose, and demands for slaughtering and buying animals decreased. The price of two sheep is 600,000 Iraqi dinars this year, while three sheep were for the same price last year.
The residents complain about the market and claim that rising prices weakened the market this year.
“Those who bought two sheep last year will buy one this year and those who bought three sheep last year will buy two this year,” Ahmad Omar, a Duhok resident, told Rudaw’s Naif Ramadhan on Tuesday. “Last year, 50 percent of people bought animals for sacrifice, this year 25 percent will.”
Compared to last year's Eid al-Adha, the price of all kinds of sheep has increased by 100,000 to 150,000 Iraqi dinars this year.
“Last year, a pair of sheep was 550,000 Iraqi dinars, this year the price went up to 700,000 Iraqi dinars, which is a difference of 150,000 Iraqi dinars compared to last year,” said Shaaban Adnan, a seller.
Imported sheep have also become more expensive, as measures have been taken to tighten the imports of animals from abroad. This has led some of Duhok’s residents to start raising sheep themselves.
Many Muslims, including Kurds, on Wednesday marked the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday with early morning prayers and feasts. The holiday lasts for four days
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