The increase in market prices has also directly reflected on sacrificial animals this year, bringing the price of slaughtering a sacrificial animal in Kosovo up to 400 euros, KosovaPress reports.
Farmers say the rising cost of animal feed has significantly increased the cost of raising livestock, while humanitarian organizations warn that this situation is making it even more difficult for families and donors to fulfill the obligation of sacrificing an animal during the Eid al-Adha holiday. The Islamic Community of Kosovo has also increased the price for slaughtering an animal in Kosovo to 200 euros this year, up from 180 last year.
Farmer Adhurim Berisha tells KosovaPress that this year the prices of sacrificial animals on their farm range from 220 to 400 euros, including the cost of slaughtering the animal. However, he explains several factors that have led to the price increase.
"This year, the sacrificial animal is currently between 220 euros and 400 euros on our farm, where the price also includes the slaughter of the sacrificial animal. This year, I would say there is a slight increase, but not much compared to last year. Considering that now even food or basic sheep products have become more expensive, we should also increase the cost of the sacrificial animal. For example, this year a bale of hay went up to 5 euros, last year it was one and a half to two euros. The increase in the price of grains, also taking this into account that everything has become more expensive," he said.
He emphasized that prices vary depending on the type of animal.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian organization "Islamic Relief Kosovo" says that for 26 years now it has been distributing sacrificial meat to families with orphans and families on social assistance. The manager of the department for raising local funds in this organization, Lavdim Gashi, said that the increase in the price of sacrificial meat this year has come as a result of the general increase in prices in the market and the high demand for animals.
"Unfortunately, as we have been accompanied by the increase in prices in the market of everything, of every product, it has consequently also affected the issue of sacrificial animals. Especially now that the demand is very high, so, in terms not only in Kosovo but also abroad, in the whole world, and it is known, every time, in fact, every Eid, prices have been increasing. Yes, it is something that is not dependent, it does not depend on us, it depends on the suppliers. However, we wanted in this case to offer opportunities for our donors who, for whom the amount may be high, and which is 200 euros is not small," emphasizes Gashi.
Gashi also explained the procedures the organization follows to identify beneficiary families and distribute sacrificial meat.
He emphasized that the organization applies strict criteria for suppliers and meat inspection before distribution.
Otherwise, the slaughter of the sacrificial animal is one of the most important religious rituals in Islam and is performed during the Eid al-Adha holiday, as a sign of obedience, sacrifice and approaching God. This ritual is related to the story of the prophet Ibrahim, who according to Islamic belief was ready to sacrifice his son, Ismail, at the command of God, but at the last moment God replaced him with a sacrificial animal.
For Muslims, the slaughter of the sacrificial animal symbolizes devotion, solidarity and assistance to families in need, as the sacrificial meat is distributed to relatives, neighbors and social classes with more difficult economic conditions. This year, the holiday of Eid al-Adha in Kosovo is on May 27.
t7 live
