2024 Sacrificial Animal Prices: An Estimated 107.3 Billion Liras to be Paid
Livestock Prices and Predictions for Sacrifice
It is estimated that approximately 107.3 billion lira will be spent on sacrificial animals in 2024. Şemsi Bayraktar, the President of the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), provided insights regarding livestock prices ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha. Bayraktar emphasized that Eid al-Adha is an important indicator of the culture of sharing and helping in our religion.
During the holiday period, millions of animals prepared for slaughter are fed in advance and processed for slaughter in a short time. He noted that this process involves numerous economic activities such as animal purchases, feed, veterinary services, and slaughter fees, which accumulate substantial costs.
This year, Bayraktar remarked that the prices of sacrificial animals have shown more variability compared to previous years, with fluctuations in meat prices widening the gap between livestock prices, causing confusion for citizens.
Estimated Number of Sacrificial Animals and Slaughter Predictions
According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, while 963,000 large cattle and 2.8 million small cattle were slaughtered in 2020, these numbers decreased to 847,000 large cattle and 2.8 million small cattle by 2023. It is expected that there will be at least a 20% decrease in large cattle slaughter and at least a 10% decrease in small cattle. Approximately 680,000 large cattle and 2.5 million small cattle are projected to be slaughtered, totaling around 3.18 million sacrificial animals.
Changes in Livestock Prices
Prices for sacrificial animals vary between cities. Sales are conducted based on negotiations considering the live weight and meat prices. According to data from the Agricultural Chambers, prices for large cattle range between 75,000 and 250,000 lira, while small cattle prices vary between 8,000 and 25,000 lira.
The live kilogram prices range from 200 to 300 lira for large cattle and 180 to 300 lira for small cattle. Compared to the previous year, prices for large cattle have increased by 68.8%, and small cattle prices have risen by 88.4%.
Cost of Livestock Shares
The prices for livestock shares vary by city. In Istanbul, prices range from 22,000 lira to 35,000 lira, while in Ankara, they range from 20,000 lira to 32,000 lira. Shared sales also differ across various provinces.
Proxy Slaughter Practices
During Eid al-Adha, many charities and foundations perform slaughter on behalf of citizens. Such practices are also increasing abroad. However, due to lower prices in the domestic market, citizens tend to turn to foreign options, negatively impacting local producers.
In conclusion, it is essential to take measures to support producers and stabilize prices. We wish all our producers a profitable Eid al-Adha.
Price Estimates Table
Estimated livestock sale prices for 2024 in specific cities are listed below:
| Cities | Large Cattle Price | Small Cattle Price |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (European Side) | 90,000-250,000 TL/Head | 10,000-25,000 TL/Head |
| Ankara | 90,000-250,000 TL/Head | 8,000-20,000 TL/Head |
| Izmir | 80,000-250,000 TL/Head | 10,000-20,000 TL/Head |
| Bursa | 80,000-220,000 TL/Head | 15,000-25,000 TL/Head |
| Adana | 80,000-150,000 TL/Head | 9,000-18,000 TL/Head |
| Antalya | 75,000-180,000 TL/Head | 12,000-22,000 TL/Head |
| Gaziantep | 75,000-170,000 TL/Head | 10,000-20,000 TL/Head |
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.