A greater demand in Kathmandu for goats raised for Dashain meat.

Since the recent floods and landslides damaged the main highways connecting the Valley, there is a greater demand in Kathmandu for goats raised for Dashain meat. Tens of thousands of people have been unable to get home to enjoy the festival due to the poor condition of the roads.

Traders indicated that the demand for goats in the Kathmandu valley, which was 55,000 last Dashain, may grow to 80,000 this year, greater than the pre-Covid sales. The event is marked by feasts and animal sacrifices, with tens of thousands of animals and birds killed during the largest celebration in the nation.

“We have received around 15,000 goats as of Monday. As we did during the last Dashain, our goal is to sell 25,000 goats this year, stated Janak Kumar Khadka, president of the Kalanki Khasi Bazaar. "But it appears that demand might increase.

Goats are traded in a few other places than Kalanki Khasi Bazaar, especially during Dashain. Goats are also supplied by individual farmers in the districts surrounding Kathmandu to the Capital.

The majority of goats, according to the dealers, come from areas in the west of the nation, including Dang, Salyan, Surkhet, Bardiya, Kailali, and Dadeldhura. Compared to last year, fewer goats were shipped from the eastern region of the nation this year.

According to Khadka, there are problems because of protracted traffic congestion and obstructions on important roadways. Many people have therefore canceled their plans to enjoy the holiday in their home country.

"Goat demand is expected to rise sharply," Khadka stated.

Goat supplies have been typical thus far, according to traders, and there is no scarcity. But traffic on the highways has delayed the arrival of goats.

A protracted delay, according to traders, would be troublesome. If the goats are left trapped on the highway for extended periods of time, Khadka said, they may lose weight.

According to Khadka, this year's arrival of mountain goats for Dashain has doubled. Sallaghari in Bhaktapur has got over 3,000 mountain goats, while Kalanki Khashi Bazaar has received about 2,000 heads.

Dealers assert that prices won't increase despite the increase in demand.

According to Khadka, the pricing range for this year was Rs 630 to Rs 700 per kg. "It might not get any cheaper right now."

This year, mountain goats will be less expensive. According to Khadka, the price of a live mountain goat has decreased to Rs1,100 per kg from Rs1,300 last year. Since mountain goats have arrived from Tibet, the supply is ample. From the Chinese side, the traders carry them on foot.

Dashain begins on Tuesday, the sixth day, but sales aren't as high as they were last year.

It used to be common for individuals to transport goats in automobiles and on motorcycles at this time of year.

Goats once populated the streets. Yet, dealers assert that the market has evolved.

Economists claim that while urban households' finances are tighter due to increased unemployment, falling real estate and stock prices, and an increase in fraud cases in the cooperative sector, consumption has slowed since people's real wages have decreased.

Although last year's festival zeal was tempered by the economic downturn, shopkeepers remained upbeat this year. But the catastrophe crushed their dreams.

Although official data on festival expenditure is unavailable, September through November is when Nepal's economy peaks.

According to some economists, the three major holidays of Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath account for 40–70% of market activity.

It is claimed that many people save yearly to spend at these events.

Festival-goers earn incentives from businesses, banks, and government employees, and vendors are eager to take advantage of the higher demand.

The financial crisis of last Dashain compelled shoppers to make fewer purchases. Banks, however, have enough liquidity this year, and traders anticipate higher sales.

"We anticipate a rise in the quantity of buyers purchasing goats starting on October 10, which is also the start of the Dashain holiday," stated Khadka.

Goats are another product that the Food Management and Trading Company sells to influence market prices.

Goats worth Rs. 10 million have been purchased by the Birgunj branch's management office and will be distributed across the Kathmandu valley.

According to Samir Dahal, the company's information officer in Birgunj, 488 goats were bought from Makwanpur's Bagmati rural municipality.

The company paid Rs585 per kg for live goats weighing between 20 and 25 kilogram, and Rs605 per kg for goats weighing more over 25 kg.