CAIRO, May 31 (Xinhua) -- As Eid al-Adha, the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice, draws near, many Egyptians are opting for camels as their sacrificial animals, shifting away from the long-held choices of sheep and cattle.

This choice enables the financially strained families to fulfill their religious duties without a significant monetary burden.

"The market has seen a high demand for camels this year," said Ahmed Haasan, the manager of the Birqash Camel Market, Egypt's biggest camel market, located about 35 km northwest of Cairo.

More than 1,800 camels were sold every day over the past month, compared to around 1,200 camels during the same period last year, Haasan told Xinhua.

"This means daily sales have gone up notably for this Eid al-Adha season. In normal days, usually 800-1,000 camels are sold," he pointed out, adding that the Birqash market is an "indicator" for camel sales in Egypt.

Echoing the manager's observation, Rafiq Khalaf, a camel seller at the Birqash market, said, "While overall livestock demand is lower than in previous years due to the economic pinch, camels are experiencing a relative surge in popularity."

According to Khalaf, the price difference between camels and other livestock is a major factor influencing many families to choose a camel for sacrifice.

The cost of a suitable camel ranges from 35,000 Egyptian pounds (around 703 U.S. dollars) to 65,000 Egyptian pounds, which is more affordable compared to the price of a cow or calf, he said.

The prices of beef and mutton in Egypt have experienced a notable rise in recent years. According to data from Egypt's Chambers of Commerce, locally grazed cows are priced between 180 and 195 Egyptian pounds per kg, while buffalo calves range from 150 to 160 pounds per kg. Locally grazed live sheep and goats are selling for between 215 and 220 Egyptian pounds per kg.

Mohammed al-Sayed, an accountant from Cairo who was shopping at the market, said that a suitable cow or calf for Eid al-Adha can cost anywhere from 70,000 to 90,000 Egyptian pounds, or even more. However, the price of a camel is much cheaper.

"The big saving helps families meet their religious duties without a huge financial burden," he said.

"My budget allowed me to buy a young camel, which gives enough meat to share with those in need, family, and friends, as well as for my own home, something a large sheep wouldn't offer," the middle-aged man added.

In addition to being affordable, camels provide other advantages, as Om Ahmed, a woman shopping for a camel at the market, explained.

"I typically visit the market before each Eid al-Adha because my children like camel meat," she said, noting that camel meat is also recognized for being lean and healthy.

"A camel can supply a substantial amount of meat to share with those in need, embodying the true spirit of Eid al-Adha without straining my budget," she told Xinhua.