Traditional butchery skill faces uncertain future as butchers' youth opt other careers

MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th May, 2026) In the bustling bazaars and meat markets of South Punjab, a profession that once passed seamlessly from father to son was facing an uncertain future,here on Saturday.

Fewer children of butchers were choosing to follow in their fathers’ footsteps,raising concerns about the long-term survival of butchery's skill and trade that has served communities for generations.

For decades,becoming a butcher was more than an occupation as it was a family tradition.

Young boys learned the skills of selecting livestock,preparing meat and serving customers while working alongside their fathers from an early age.

Today,however,that tradition was steadily fading.

Muhammad Ishaq, a butcher from Vehari, says the number of beef butchers was declining rapidly.

“Many young people no longer see a future in this profession,”he said.“They watch their fathers struggle and prefer to learn other skills or pursue education in the hope of finding better opportunities.”

According to Ishaq,shrinking profit margins have become one of the biggest challenges facing the trade.

He argues that official meat prices often fail to reflect market realities.

Livestock prices have risen significantly, while the cost of doing business continues to increase.

“Farmers are now much more informed about the value of their animals,” he explained. “They demand higher prices, making livestock expensive to purchase. When meat has to be sold at rates that do not match these costs,it becomes difficult to earn a reasonable profit, he added.

The changing economics of the business were influencing the next generation.

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Children who witness the financial pressures associated with the trade were increasingly reluctant to adopt it as a career.

Another butcher,Altaf believes the profession has lost much of the stability it once offered.

“There was a time when a butcher could sell eight to ten maunds of meat in a single day,”he said. “Now many shops struggle to sell even one to one-and-a-half maunds.Customers are buying less because household budgets are under pressure.”

He added that while demand surges during Eid-ul-Azha and skilled butchers earn substantial income during the festive period, and then the market often slows dramatically afterward.

“After Eid, business remains sluggish for weeks,” Altaf said. “A few busy days cannot compensate for months of weak sales, he explained.

Rising inflation and declining purchasing power have further affected consumer demand for beef, forcing many families to reduce their meat consumption.

The result was a trade that offers fewer financial incentives than it once did.

The decline was also being driven by social change.

Families increasingly encourage their children to seek formal education and enter professions perceived as more secure. As younger generations pursue careers in technology,business and other sectors,fewer were willing to invest years mastering the traditional skills of butchery.

For many veteran butchers,the issue extends beyond economics.Responding to a query,he stated that sale of big animals remained slow.Many farmers could not sell their animals.