Dull markets, poor animal sales mar Eid mood in Shopian

Shopian, May 19: The festive buzz usually associated with Eid-ul-Adha is largely missing from markets across south Kashmir’s Shopian district this year, with traders reporting poor sales of sacrificial animals and sluggish business activity ahead of the festival.

Markets across the district are witnessing thin footfall, with shopkeepers attributing the slowdown to rising prices, financial uncertainty, and concerns linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Tariq Ahmad Mir, owner of Bright Kitchen Ware in Batapora, Shopian, said prices of several household items have increased sharply in recent months.

“Many kitchenware items have witnessed a sudden rise in prices, and customers are holding back from making purchases,” he said. “People are buying only essential items and avoiding unnecessary spending due to financial uncertainty.”

Sacrificial animal markets are also witnessing weak sales this Eid season, adding to the gloom in local markets.

Farooq Ahmad, a livestock dealer, said sales have declined by nearly 70 percent compared to previous years.

“People are not buying animals the way they used to earlier. Most customers are either delaying purchases or returning without buying because of financial stress and rising expenses,” he said.

Another livestock dealer said traders who had brought animals from outside districts were struggling to even recover transportation and feeding costs as demand remained far below expectations in the run-up to Eid.

Similarly, bakeries and readymade garment shops across the district are witnessing a sharp downturn in business ahead of the festival. Shopkeepers said customer footfall has remained unusually low compared to previous years, with many families restricting purchases to essentials.

“Usually, markets remain crowded in the days leading up to Eid, but this year business is extremely dull. People are purchasing only bare essentials and avoiding extra spending,” said a readymade garment shop owner.

Traders said rising inflation and economic uncertainty have significantly affected festive shopping, dampening the traditional Eid rush witnessed in Kashmir markets every year.