General and dairy farmers failed to sell their animals as expected in the cattle markets across the country during this Eid-ul-Azha, even though their prices came down.
According to the Department of Livestock, about 25 lakh animals remained unsold in the country this year, up by 3.5 lakh compared to last year. At the same time, the rate of sacrifice also decreased by 8.5 per cent compared to last year.
Dairy farmers and analysts say due to the economic headwinds, inclement weather and illegal imports of animals from other countries have created such a situation.
In various cattle markets of the country, including the capital, the number of buyers was less compared to sacrificial animals. In such circumstances, the prices of animals started to decrease two days before Eid.
Sellers could not sell their animals as expected despite a fall in cattle prices. Two days before Eid, the animal that was expected to be sold at Tk 3 lakh, it was sold below Tk 2.5 lakh, and the animal that was priced at Tk 1.50 lakh was sold at Tk 1.10 lakh.
According to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), 1,00,41,812 animals out of 1,25,36,333 were sacrificed this year. It meant that 24,94,521 animals remained unsold or were not sacrificed. Last year 21,69,717 sacrificial animals remained unsold.
Last year 99,50,763 animals were sacrificed which was 8.57 lakh or 9.43 per cent higher than 2021. But 1,00,41,000 animals were sacrificed this year. So, the number of sacrifices went up only by 0.91 per cent.
The rate of sacrifices in the country decreased by more than 8.5 per cent this year compared to 2022. In 2021, the figure was 90,93,242.
According to the DLS, the demand for sacrificial animals this year was 1,03,94,739. But 3,50,000 animals were sacrificed less than the demand. Dairy farmers said the number of sacrificial animals will be much less.
President of Bangladesh Dairy Farmers’ Association (BDFA) Imran Hossain said that sale of animals in the farms was fairly good. Even after the price fall in the cattle markets, sellers could not sell all the animals.
“I have never seen so many animals returning from the markets. In my opinion, this year the number of sacrifices was lower than last year. It seems that this number will not be more than 95 lakh,” he claimed.
“Many farmers have taken their animals back because the prices were low due to fewer buyers. There was much supply of animals than the demand at the market.”
The BDFA President claimed that many smuggled animals came from neighbouring countries. However, the economic crisis was the main reason for the decrease in sacrifice and sale of animals. Due to foul weather, many of those who used to buy animals from the market bought cattle from the farms this year, he added.
Goats and sheep sacrificed more than cows, buffaloes
In last three years from 2018 to 2020, cows and buffaloes were sacrificed more than goats and sheep. But since 2021, goats and sheep were sacrificed more than cows and buffaloes.
This year 46,88,935 cows and buffaloes were sacrificed while 53,51,635 goats and sheep were sacrificed. It meant that more than 6,50,000 goats and sheep were sacrificed than cows and buffaloes.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the highest number of animals sacrificed during the holy Eid-ul-Azha this year was 25,48,184 in Dhaka division and the lowest number of animals sacrificed was 3,85,902 in Mymensingh division.
