Pakistan tanneries are busy buying animal hides, with as much as 7.1 million hides received at the tanneries. The total worth of these hides is more than Rs. 6.5 billion.
A senior member of Tanneries Association, Gulzar Feroze, told ProPakistani that this year Pakistanis slaughtered at least 100,000 more bulls, buffaloes, goats/sheeps and camels as compared to last year. This year tanneries received about 7.1 million animal hides in the last three days of Eid Ul Azha. Last year this figure was at 7 million.
Gulzar Feroze also said that overall large animals were sacrificed more this year. The total number of bull and buffalo sacrifices increased by 300,000 and 2.5 million hides arrived at the tanneries. Goat sacrifices were down by 200,000 and so far 3.8 million hides have reached the tanneries.
“As per tradition, sheep and camel sacrifices are in small numbers. This year 800,000 sheep and about 30 thousand camels hides were sent to the tanneries. A very small number of tanneries are processing camel and sheep hide.” Gulzar Feroze added.
Sources told ProPakistani that about 10 to 15 percent of animal hides were locally processed and did not reach tanneries. Additionally, about 5 to 8 percent hides were wasted due to being treated improperly.
This year tanneries plan to expend Rs. 6.5 billion for hide purchase. Because this year the prices of bulls, buffaloes and camels are higher due to demand in the international market.
Bull hide prices increased by Rs. 300 after continuing to decline since the last 4 years. This year tanneries bought bull/buffalo hides in the range of Rs. 1800 to Rs. 2000.
Goat hide prices increased by Rs. 100 to Rs. 150 in the same time period. On the other hand sheep hide prices went down by Rs. 75 to Rs. 100.
Total business of sacrificial animals: Rs. 26.5 billion (source: Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA))
3 million bulls, 4 million goats, 1 million sheep and 0.1 million camels.