Both sales and the number of buyers have increased in the makeshift cattle markets in Chattogram, with Eid-ul-Azha only a day away.
Almost all the markets are full of cows and goats of various types and sizes. However, the prices are out of reach, most of the buyers claimed.
Therefore, the demand for small domestic cows has risen in various markets compared to larger cows. Meanwhile, many have turned to farms to buy sacrificial animals at prices convenient or lower than the markets.
Visiting the permanent cattle markets of Sagarika, Bibirhat, Karnaphuli, Saltgola rail crossing-side and others in the port city on Tuesday, The Business Post correspondent found an abundance of domestic cows as the demand for such cows worth Tk 60,000-90,000 is high and the demand for large cows of foreign breeds is low.
Talking to sellers and buyers during a visit to the city’s biggest cattle market Sagarika, it was found that the prices of cows are much higher this year compared to last year.
Buyers said that last year a cow weighing three maunds was sold at Tk 90,000 but this year, the price of a cow weighing two maunds is sold at the same price.
The cost of cow rearing is higher than before, so the price has gone up. Increased transportation costs also played a role behind cattle price hikes, traders said.
“We have spent additional money on cattle feed. That’s why the price of sacrificial animals is higher than before. We can’t sell cows at a loss,” said Kutub Uddin, who brought 22 cows at Sagarika from Cumilla.
It was also seen that many people were returning home without buying any sacrificial animal because of the high prices. Some of them said there was nothing to worry about as there is still a day in hand.
However, many buyers are buying sacrificial animals directly from farms or online as they are getting them at a slightly cheaper rate.
Traders brought cows to Karnaphuli’s Maijjartek cattle market from their farms at Satkania’s Lohagara, Chunti, Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Raozan and Rangunia.
Trader Md Akkas brought 20 local cows, reared on his farm, to Maijjartek market four days ago. He has sold 10 of them so far.
Besides, some local breed cows have come from the North Bengal region, and due to the government’s strict measures at the border, there are not many Indian cows in the market.
Md Nabi, a local breeder from Raozan, said, “This year, almost all the cows in the market are native. There are some Indian cows too, but the demand for local breeds of cows is high.”
Chattogram District Livestock Officer Md Alamgir said, “The demand for sacrificial animals in the port city and 15 upazilas of the district is 8,79,713, but the number of locally reared animals is 8,42,165.”
“There is a shortage of 37,548 but that will be met with cattle that are being brought in from Cumilla, Rajshahi, Kushtia, Thakurgaon, Chapainawabganj, Jashore and other corners of the country,” he added.
