The sale of goats ahead of Deepavali, which is celebrated on Sunday, has registered a slump at cattle shandy in Manapparai.The cattle shandy at Manapparai, one of the largest markets for cattle in the State, met in the early hours on Wednesday. Expecting good business in view of Deepavali, farmers from Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Theni, and rural areas of Tiruchi brought sheep and goats to the shandy.

To cash in on the huge demand for meat, traders from different parts of the district thronged in large numbers.According to sources, the arrival of goats at Manapparai registered a two-fold increase. As against the average arrival of about 5,000 to 6,000 goats and sheep, the shandy on Wednesday registered an arrival of over 15,000 animals.

However, most farmers returned home without selling them. The intermediaries predicted a record sales this year too as traders would invariably purchase sheep and goats irrespective of price so as to make use of the surging demand for mutton during the Deepavali season.

But, contrary to it, the shandy transacted only about ₹40 lakh worth of business as against the projected figure of ₹3 crore. The slump in sales, particularly during the festival season, was unprecedented, says traders.“I never experienced such a poor business in recent years.

More than 80% of farmers, who brought sheep and goats for sales, have returned home without finding buyers,” says N. Ponnusamy, a cattle trader at Manapparai.He said the business was dull at the shandy that met on Wednesday last week.

The sentiment among traders was weak as they predicted that the retail business this season would not be at its best due to poor money circulation among the people.“Flourishing agricultural prospects is a key for money circulation among the people, both in urban and rural areas. But we notice poor circulation for the past few months.

There may be many factors for it. Lack of rainfall and unseasonal heat conditions stretching beyond summer season for several months are among the reasons,” Mr.

Ponnusamy said. Published - November 04, 2026 07:09 pm IST