Unpacking the Eid ul Adha Economy

Unpacking the Eid ul Adha Economy

Md. Joynal Abdin

Founder & CEO, Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)

Co-Founder & CEO, Bangladesh Trade Center (BTC)

Executive Director, Online Training Academy (OTA)

Secretary General, Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)

 

Eid ul Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is not only one of the most significant religious events in the Islamic calendar but also a massive driver of economic activity across the Muslim world. Celebrated in honor of Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, this occasion blends deep religious sentiment with a surge in consumer spending, especially in the livestock, transportation, butchery, and retail sectors.

 

The economic scale of Eid ul Adha is staggering. According to estimates from various livestock departments and economic think tanks, over 100 million animals are sacrificed globally each year during this period, with countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Nigeria witnessing some of the highest volumes. In Bangladesh alone, for example, around 10–12 million animals are sacrificed annually, generating a livestock trade worth over Tk 55,000 crore (approximately USD 5 billion). Similar trends are seen in Pakistan, where the Eid livestock market is estimated to be worth PKR 500–600 billion (USD 1.8–2.2 billion).

 

The ripple effects of this economic activity are far-reaching. From cattle farmers and middlemen to truck drivers, temporary animal markets, rope and knife sellers, cold storage providers, and online qurbani platforms the ecosystem around Eid ul Adha creates millions of temporary and seasonal employment opportunities. The logistics of transporting animals from rural farms to urban centers, combined with the demand for veterinary services, feed, and housing, further stimulate local economies.

 

Moreover, the rise of digital qurbani platforms in recent years has introduced a new dimension to this traditional economy. In urban centers, especially among the younger generation and diaspora communities, there is a growing reliance on online services that manage everything from animal selection to sacrifice and distribution. This digitization has injected greater transparency, hygiene, and convenience into the market and also opened new entrepreneurial avenues.

 

As we unpack the Eid ul Adha economy, it becomes clear that this religious festival is not just a spiritual affair it is a major annual economic engine, especially for rural economies in Muslim-majority countries. Understanding its dynamics offers insights into informal markets, rural-urban supply chains, and the intersection of faith, tradition, and commerce.

 

2.0 Eid ul Adha

Eid ul Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims around the world. It commemorates the unwavering faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was willing to sacrifice his son in submission to God’s command. In remembrance of this profound act of devotion, Muslims across the globe sacrifice animals typically cows, goats, sheep, or camels as a symbolic gesture of spiritual submission and generosity.

 

While deeply rooted in religious tradition, Eid ul Adha also triggers a powerful economic chain reaction that affects millions of livelihoods, especially in Muslim-majority countries. From the bustling livestock markets of South Asia to digital qurbani platforms serving urban populations and diaspora communities, the “Eid economy” is a vibrant ecosystem where faith fuels finance.

 

Globally, it is estimated that more than 100 million animals are sacrificed during Eid ul Adha each year, generating economic activity worth billions of dollars. In countries like Pakistan, the Eid livestock market alone is valued at over PKR 500 billion (USD 1.8 billion), while Bangladesh sees transactions exceeding Tk 50,000 crore (USD 4.5 billion) during the festival season. This annual surge benefits not only farmers and traders but also butchers, transporters, artisans, and digital service providers many of whom rely on this period for a substantial portion of their yearly income.

 

Eid ul Adha thus represents a unique intersection of spiritual obligation and economic opportunity, illustrating how religious practices can drive significant financial flows, stimulate rural economies, and create widespread, if temporary, employment.

3.0 Religious and Cultural Context

The essence of Eid ul Adha lies in the timeless story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), a central figure in Islamic, Christian, and Jewish traditions. According to Islamic belief, Ibrahim was commanded by Allah in a dream to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail (Ishmael), as a test of his devotion. Just as Ibrahim was about to carry out the command, Allah intervened and provided a ram to be sacrificed in Ismail’s place, rewarding Ibrahim’s unwavering faith and obedience.

 

This event forms the spiritual foundation of Qurbani, or animal sacrifice, which is performed by Muslims during Eid ul Adha in remembrance of Ibrahim’s submission to divine will. The act symbolizes devotion, gratitude, and the willingness to part with what is most valuable for the sake of Allah. It is not merely the act of slaughtering an animal, but a deeply symbolic ritual that emphasizes charity, humility, and spiritual renewal.

 

Animal sacrifice during Eid is a compulsory act (wājib) for Muslims who can afford it, with the meat traditionally divided into three parts: one-third for the family, one-third for relatives and friends, and one-third for the poor and needy. This distribution reinforces social solidarity and economic equity, especially in low-income communities.

 

These religious values heavily influence spending behavior during the Eid season. Families begin saving weeks or even months in advance to purchase sacrificial animals, often preferring larger, healthier, or more prestigious livestock as a mark of piety and social status. The practice is not limited to rural areas; even in urban centers, purchasing sacrificial animals becomes a major annual expenditure. As a result, consumer demand surges not only in livestock but also in related goods and services animal feed, transport, butchery, packaging, and even decorative items for the animals.

 

In essence, the story of Ibrahim is more than a spiritual narrative; it is a driver of real-world economic decisions. It shapes traditions that, in turn, create seasonal markets and patterns of consumption that ripple through both rural and urban economies during Eid ul Adha.

 

4.0 The Livestock Market: Heart of the Eid Economy

Eid ul Adha triggers one of the largest seasonal movements of livestock anywhere in the world. As Muslims observe the religious obligation of qurbani (sacrifice), the demand for animals—particularly cattle, goats, sheep, and in some regions, camels—skyrockets, creating a short but intense economic boom centered around the livestock trade.

 

4.1 Global Scale of Animal Sacrifice

Globally, more than 100 million animals are estimated to be sacrificed each year during Eid ul Adha. This includes:

• Pakistan: Approximately 10–12 million animals sacrificed annually, including cows, goats, sheep, and camels. The estimated market size ranges between PKR 500–600 billion (USD 1.8–2.2 billion).
• Bangladesh: Around 10–12 million sacrificial animals are sold each year, with a market value exceeding Tk 55,000 crore (USD 5 billion).
• India: Despite religious sensitivities, an estimated 6–8 million animals are sacrificed annually.
• Nigeria: The largest Muslim population in Africa contributes to the sale of millions of rams and goats, generating economic activity worth billions of naira.
• Indonesia and Middle East: High demand for both local and imported livestock, with significant use of digital qurbani services.

 

4.2 Seasonal Demand Spikes and Pricing Trends

The weeks leading up to Eid see a dramatic increase in livestock prices due to soaring demand, speculative buying, and the symbolic status associated with larger or healthier animals. In South Asia, for example:

• Goats are in high demand for their manageability and affordability.
• Cattle tend to be seen as a symbol of affluence and religious devotion.
• Camels, while rarer and more expensive, are favored in parts of the Middle East and North Africa.

 

Prices vary widely based on breed, size, age, and region. In urban markets, animals can sell for 30–50% more than their rural counterparts, driven by emotional purchasing and lack of price regulation. In some cases, prestige breeds can fetch twice or triple the average market price.

 

4.3 Rural Income Generation and the Role of Middlemen

The livestock economy during Eid provides a vital income stream for rural households. Farmers often raise animals specifically for the festival, timing births and feed regimens to optimize size and value by the Eid season. For many, this is their most profitable annual transaction.

 

However, much of the profit does not go directly to farmers. Middlemen and brokers dominate the supply chain, purchasing animals from rural areas at low prices and selling them at marked-up rates in city markets. While this practice ensures access to distant urban centers, it also highlights the inefficiencies and inequities in the system farmers often receive far less than the final sale price.

 

4.4 Case Study: Bangladesh’s Eid Livestock Economy

Bangladesh provides a clear example of how deeply intertwined Eid ul Adha is with rural economic life. Each year, around 12 million animals are prepared for sacrifice, creating employment for over one million people including farmers, transporters, butchers, and market workers.

 

The country sets up more than 2,000 temporary cattle markets (haats) across urban and suburban areas. Livestock rearing for Eid is a key source of income in districts like Dinajpur, Sirajganj, and Jessore. However, lack of regulation and oversight often leads to inflated pricing, poor animal welfare, and exploitation of both buyers and sellers.

 

In recent years, the Bangladeshi government has encouraged online qurbani platforms to promote transparency and reduce health risks, especially post-COVID. These platforms now account for nearly 5–10% of total animal sales in major cities like Dhaka and Chattogram, offering digital convenience while connecting rural farmers more directly with consumers.

 

 

5.0 Employment and Informal Sector Surge

Eid ul Adha is not only a time of religious devotion and community gathering but also a period of intense economic activity that generates millions of temporary jobs, particularly in the informal sector. The festival sets off a chain of labor-intensive activities, creating short-term employment opportunities for a wide range of workers—many of whom belong to low-income or marginalized communities.

 

5.1 Key Job Categories Created During Eid ul Adha

1. Butchers and Meat Handlers
   • Perhaps the most in-demand profession during Eid, butchers are essential for performing sacrifices according to Islamic rites.
   • In countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, many butchers earn a significant portion of their annual income during these few days.
   • With the growing demand for hygienic slaughter, skilled butchers can charge premium rates, especially in urban areas.

 

1. Animal Handlers and Market Laborers
   • Livestock markets require handlers to manage, feed, and care for thousands of animals brought in from rural areas.
   • Laborers are hired for loading, unloading, feeding, and grooming animals, often working in shifts around the clock.
   • These jobs, although temporary, provide crucial income for rural migrants and unemployed youth.

 

1. Transport Workers and Drivers
   • The transport of animals from rural farms to urban markets creates high demand for truck drivers, helpers, and logistics workers.
   • Many small trucking businesses rely on this seasonal surge to remain financially viable.
   • In cities, rickshaw pullers, cart pushers, and small vehicle owners earn extra by ferrying meat and related supplies.

 

1. Market Staff and Security Personnel
   • Temporary cattle markets (haats) require hundreds of workers to maintain order, collect fees, ensure security, and manage operations.
   • Municipal workers and volunteers also assist in maintaining hygiene, sanitation, and crowd control.

 

1. Waste Collectors and Clean-Up Crews
   • Post-sacrifice, cities witness a surge in organic waste, prompting the need for additional sanitation workers.
   • These workers are often hired on daily wages and play a crucial role in minimizing public health risks.

 

1. Support Services and Informal Vendors
   • Small-scale entrepreneurs and vendors earn by selling animal feed, ropes, knives, plastic sheets, and packaging materials.
   • Tailors, barbers, sweet sellers, and clothing vendors also see increased sales as families prepare for the festivities.

 

5.2 Economic Lifeline for Low-Income Groups

For many daily wage earners and unemployed individuals, Eid ul Adha represents a rare window of opportunity to earn more than usual. While the employment is short-term lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks it can provide enough income to support families for an extended period, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

 

For example, a freelance butcher in Dhaka or Lahore can earn between Tk 5,000–15,000 (USD 45–135) per day during Eid, depending on skills and the number of sacrifices performed. Similarly, truck drivers and helpers transporting livestock over long distances may earn 2–3 times their usual wages due to peak demand.

6.0 Ancillary Industries and Supply Chain

The economic activity surrounding Eid ul Adha extends far beyond livestock markets and sacrifice rituals. A wide-ranging and complex support ecosystem ensures that the millions of animals sold, transported, sacrificed, and distributed during the festival move through a functional—albeit often informal—supply chain. This network includes logistics providers, equipment vendors, butchers, and sanitation workers, each playing a critical role in enabling the festival’s scale and efficiency.

 

6.1 Animal Transportation and Logistics

Transporting sacrificial animals from rural farms to urban markets is a major logistical operation that begins weeks before Eid. Farmers and traders depend heavily on small and medium-sized trucks, pickup vans, boats, and even railway wagons in some regions. The cost of transporting animals often surges due to seasonal demand, fuel price hikes, and increased competition for vehicles.

• In countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, animals are transported over hundreds of kilometers, often in overcrowded or unsafe conditions.
• The lack of animal welfare regulations and poor infrastructure leads to injuries, stress, or death during transit, impacting both economic returns and ethical standards.
• Urban congestion worsens during this time, as trucks carrying animals move into city centers, adding pressure on traffic systems.

 

6.2 Tools and Accessories: Ropes, Knives, Feed, Enclosures

The Eid economy fuels a booming micro-industry of support products, including:

• Ropes and halters: Used to restrain and guide animals, often handmade and sold by small vendors.
• Knives, cleavers, and sharpening tools: Essential for sacrifice and butchery; sales spike in the days leading up to Eid.
• Animal feed and supplements: Many urban buyers purchase animals a few days before Eid, requiring short-term feed solutions.
• Temporary enclosures and tents: In cities, families set up makeshift pens using bamboo, tarpaulin, or netting for housing animals before sacrifice.

 

These items are mostly sold through informal street markets, offering vital income to small-scale traders and artisans.

 

6.3 Butchery Services and Cold Storage

With millions of animals being sacrificed within a span of 48–72 hours, the demand for butchery services surges dramatically.

• Freelance butchers often charge a premium based on skill, speed, and cleanliness.
• In urban areas, there is growing interest in professionalized, hygienic slaughter services, often offered by private companies or NGOs.
• Cold storage facilities, though limited in many developing countries, are increasingly used to store surplus meat, especially in affluent households or by NGOs for redistribution.

 

Despite demand, a significant portion of meat handling takes place in non-standardized environments, raising concerns about food safety and hygiene.

 

6.4 Waste Management and Sanitation Issues

One of the most critical yet overlooked aspects of the Eid economy is waste management. The mass slaughter of animals results in enormous quantities of blood, offal, bones, and skins, which can cause serious health hazards if not properly disposed of.

• In Dhaka, for example, over 10,000 tons of animal waste are generated during Eid, often overwhelming municipal systems.
• Improper disposal leads to clogged drainage, foul odors, water contamination, and outbreaks of disease.
• In many cases, city corporations deploy emergency cleaning crews, sometimes in coordination with volunteers and NGOs, to tackle the waste surge.
• Some cities have launched digital waste reporting apps and awareness campaigns to promote responsible disposal.

 

7.0 Digital Transformation of Qurbani

In recent years, the tradition of Qurbani has undergone a quiet but significant transformation—from physical cattle markets to digital marketplaces. The growing popularity of online Qurbani platforms reflects not only changing consumer behavior but also the evolving landscape of technology, urbanization, and health awareness.

 

7.1 The Rise of Online Qurbani Platforms

Online Qurbani, also known as digital sacrifice, allows consumers to perform their religious obligation by booking sacrificial animals and meat distribution services through websites and mobile apps. These platforms arrange the procurement, slaughtering, and delivery of meat either to the buyer’s home or directly to charity recipients.

 

This trend gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, when concerns about hygiene and crowding forced people to seek safer alternatives. Since then, platforms like Boksha, Qurbani.com.bd, Meat One (Pakistan), Halal Meat Delivery, and even large NGO-run portals have made online Qurbani more accessible and mainstream.

 

7.2 Urban Consumer Preferences: Convenience, Hygiene, and Transparency

Urban consumers, particularly the younger and tech-savvy segments, are increasingly attracted to online Qurbani services due to several factors:

• Convenience: Avoiding the hassle of going to congested cattle markets, handling animals, and arranging butchers.
• Hygiene: Professionally managed slaughterhouses offer cleaner and more controlled environments, reducing the risk of disease.
• Transparency: Many platforms provide photo/video proof of the animal and the slaughter process, ensuring religious compliance.
• Time Efficiency: Working professionals, especially in large cities, prefer pre-scheduled services with home delivery options.
• Charity Options: Some platforms offer direct meat donation to the poor, including remote and conflict-affected areas.

 

7.3 Tech-Driven Services: Apps, Payments, and Tracking

Modern online Qurbani services are powered by end-to-end digital solutions, offering features such as:

• Mobile apps and websites with livestock catalogs, pricing, and booking systems.
• Digital payment gateways (bKash, Nagad, EasyPaisa, PayPal, etc.) for seamless transactions.
• Real-time order tracking, status updates, and digital receipts.
• Custom packages for individual, family, or corporate Qurbani including options for local or international sacrifice.

 

Some platforms even allow users to choose specific breeds, weight ranges, or countries of sacrifice, making the process highly personalized.

 

7.4 Trust and Regulatory Concerns

Despite its growth, the digital Qurbani sector faces several challenges and trust issues, particularly in developing countries:

• Lack of transparency in animal sourcing, pricing, and slaughtering timelines.
• Concerns about religious compliance—whether the sacrifice was done on time and according to Islamic principles.
• Scams and frauds: Cases of fake platforms or non-delivery of meat have undermined consumer confidence.
• Regulatory vacuum: In many countries, there are no formal guidelines or oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability in digital Qurbani.

 

To address these issues, governments, Islamic scholars, and e-commerce associations are beginning to advocate for standardized certification, third-party audits, and public awareness campaigns.

8.0 Economic and Social Impact

Eid ul Adha is more than just a spiritual occasion it acts as a powerful economic engine, temporarily transforming consumption patterns, boosting liquidity, and injecting cash into rural economies. At the same time, the festival raises important questions about social equity, environmental sustainability, and public health in the face of mass animal slaughter and urban crowding.

 

8.1 Volume of Money in Circulation

Eid ul Adha leads to a surge in monetary transactions, especially in cash-based economies. From livestock purchases to butchery services, transportation, clothing, and charitable giving, the flow of money during this period is unmatched by any other single religious festival in many Muslim-majority countries.

• Bangladesh: Estimates suggest Tk 55,000 crore (~USD 5 billion) changes hands during the Eid ul Adha season, mainly from livestock trade, logistics, and services.
• Pakistan: Eid-related economic activity is valued at PKR 500–600 billion (~USD 1.8–2.2 billion) annually.
• Nigeria: The volume of transactions involving rams, goats, logistics, and services runs into hundreds of billions of naira, impacting multiple sectors from agriculture to retail.
• Middle East and Southeast Asia: High purchasing power combined with imported livestock makes for a billion-dollar transnational trade during the Eid period.

 

This burst in consumer spending boosts liquidity in informal markets and strengthens short-term economic confidence, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

 

8.2 Boost to Rural Economies and Cash Flow

The majority of sacrificial animals are reared in rural regions. Eid ul Adha creates a seasonal reverse cash flow from urban to rural areas:

• Farmers and small-scale livestock raisers earn bulk income in a short span, often planning their breeding cycles around the Eid market.
• Veterinary services, fodder sellers, transporters, and market operators also benefit.
• For many rural households, the income earned during Eid season supplements or even exceeds their earnings from crops or other livestock sales throughout the year.

 

This influx of cash revitalizes local economies, encourages savings, and supports livelihoods that are otherwise vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations.

 

8.3 Social Equity and Meat Distribution

A central tenet of Qurbani is sharing meat with the poor and marginalized, creating one of the largest voluntary food redistribution efforts in the world.

• Islamic tradition mandates that one-third of the sacrificed meat be given to the needy.
• In communities where meat is a luxury, Eid becomes a rare moment of dietary abundance.
• NGOs, mosques, and local volunteers often organize bulk sacrifices and distribute meat to orphanages, refugee camps, and remote villages.

 

This has important implications for social equity: it strengthens community bonds, ensures food security (albeit temporarily), and fosters a sense of inclusion among economically disadvantaged groups.

 

8.4 Environmental and Public Health Implications

While Eid ul Adha has immense spiritual and economic significance, it also produces substantial environmental and public health challenges, particularly in urban centers:

• Waste generation: Massive quantities of blood, bones, and animal remains are often discarded in open drains or streets, especially in areas with poor sanitation infrastructure.
• Air and water pollution: Improper disposal can lead to the contamination of groundwater and rivers, spreading pathogens and bad odors.
• Public health risks: Increased exposure to animal waste and unhygienic slaughter conditions can cause zoonotic diseases, infections, and outbreaks of diarrheal illness.
• Carbon footprint: The livestock industry, transportation, and excessive use of plastic packaging during Eid contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and waste.

 

Cities like Dhaka, Karachi, and Lagos have begun deploying emergency clean-up crews, launching awareness campaigns, and encouraging centralized slaughter facilities to mitigate these risks. However, sustainable solutions remain a work in progress.

 

 

Conclusion

Eid ul Adha is far more than a religious observance it is a complex socio-economic event that mobilizes billions of dollars, engages millions of workers, and connects urban demand with rural supply chains across the Muslim world. From livestock sales to logistics, from food redistribution to informal employment, the festival sparks a temporary but powerful surge in economic activity.

 

At its heart, Eid ul Adha is a spiritual act of sacrifice, grounded in the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.). Yet, in today’s world, that act unfolds within modern systems of trade, technology, and urban infrastructure. The growing influence of online Qurbani platforms, digital payments, and professional services reflects how commerce and convenience are reshaping age-old traditions.

 

This fusion of faith and finance, however, must be managed responsibly. The environmental strain, public health concerns, and inequality in income distribution highlight the need for structured regulation, sustainable practices, and inclusive policies. Governments, religious institutions, businesses, and civil society all have roles to play in shaping a more resilient and equitable Eid economy.

 

By investing in better infrastructure, encouraging hygienic and ethical practices, supporting rural producers, and embracing smart technology, we can ensure that the Eid economy remains both sacred and sustainable honoring tradition while uplifting lives.