J&K generates record ₹950 Cr turnover in livestock sale on Eid eve; over 10.21 lakh animals sold

Ziraat Times Spotlight Report

Srinagar: In the run-up to Eid ul-Azha this year, over 10.21 lakh sacrificial animals were sold across Jammu & Kashmir, generating a record-breaking turnover of ₹950 crore, according to Nazir Muhammad Regoo, President of the All J&K Mutton Dealers Association.

Releasing detailed figures, Regoo said that 70% of the total sacrificial animal demand was met locally, amounting to 7,15,300 animals sourced from within the Union Territory. The remaining 3,06,557 animals were imported from livestock mandis outside J&K. The total weight of the animals sold during the season stood at over 3.06 crore kilograms (3,06,55,740 kg).

“This shows the economic magnitude of this seasonal sector,” Regoo said. “We have reached ₹950 crore in turnover this year, and projections suggest this number will cross ₹1,200 crore within the next three years.”

He urged the J&K Government to take urgent steps to enhance the local livestock sector’s capacity. “We request the administration to speed up the procurement of muttonous sheep breeds from other countries to meet the growing demand locally. The need of the hour is to invest in more sheep farms, soft loans for breeders, long-term land leases, and modern training, especially in rural belts.”

Regoo also raised concerns over what he described as the “false narrative” surrounding Merino sheep being promoted as the indigenous breed of Kashmir. “We must move away from marketing Merino sheep as native to the Valley. They are wool-centric, not suited for meat. A shift toward high-quality mutton breeds is essential,” he said.

The mutton sector, particularly around Eid ul-Azha, plays a critical role in J&K’s agrarian economy, providing livelihoods to thousands of families engaged in livestock rearing, transportation, and retail.