TULUNGAGUNG – Premium cattle prices in Tulungagung continue to rise ahead of Eid al-Adha, while regular livestock prices remain weak and put pressure on small-scale farmers.

The gap became visible at the Integrated Animal Market in Sumberdadi Village, Sumbergempol District, one of the busiest livestock trading centers in southern East Java.

Small cattle breeders said they struggle to make profits this year because prices for standard live cattle have barely moved despite stable beef prices at the consumer level.

Andi, a cattle trader who regularly transports livestock to the market by truck, said many small farmers expected higher prices before Eid al-Adha. Instead, they now face shrinking profit margins.

“Beef prices remain stable, but live cattle prices do not increase. Farmers feel the pressure,” he said.

According to Andi, many breeders usually rely on the Eid al-Adha season to improve household income. However, this year’s market conditions have not benefited all sellers equally.

While ordinary cattle prices remain sluggish, premium breeds such as Limousin and Simmental continue attracting strong demand from upper-market buyers.

Large cattle with heavier body weight now dominate the premium segment. Traders said wealthy buyers continue competing for high-quality livestock despite weaker public purchasing power.

The Tulungagung animal market offers various cattle breeds, including Brangus, Brahman, Peranakan Ongole (PO), Belgian Blue, Simmental, and Limousin cattle.

Among those breeds, Simmental and Limousin cattle remain the most sought-after in the premium market.

Slamet, a breeder and trader from Kauman District, said premium cattle operate in a separate market segment that remains strong even during economic uncertainty.

“It is very different from last month. Prices for premium cattle keep increasing,” he said.

According to Slamet, standard Limousin cattle weighing between 350 and 450 kilograms now sell for around Rp 25 million to Rp 35 million per head.

Meanwhile, larger cattle weighing more than 500 kilograms can reach prices between Rp 45 million and Rp 65 million.

“Fat Limousin cattle always sell at high prices,” he added.

Simmental cattle have also recorded price increases in recent months. Young calves now sell for around Rp 10 million to Rp 14 million in the market.

Adult Simmental cattle ready for slaughter currently sell for Rp 25 million to Rp 40 million per animal.

Traders said the market trend reflects changing consumer behavior before Eid al-Adha. Premium cattle buyers continue spending heavily, while demand for ordinary cattle weakens because many households still face economic pressure.

As a result, small-scale breeders have become the most vulnerable group in the livestock market.

Besides pricing issues, traders also worry about weather conditions and livestock health. Heavy rain often disrupts trading activity and affects animal conditions at the market.

Andi said breeders now pay closer attention to cattle health before transporting livestock to the trading area.

He added that breeders vaccinate and monitor their cattle independently to maintain buyer confidence.

“Even though these cattle come from villages, all of them are healthy and safe,” Andi said.