With only two days to Eid-ul-Azha, city cattle markets have still not gained momentum as people are not eager to buy sacrificial animals early. Besides, the price of sacrificial animals in different cattle markets has been observed to be high despite huge supply. Cattle traders said that cattle prices have increased due to shortage of fodder, and increase in price.
While visiting different cattle markets in the city, this correspondent found cattle traders waiting with large number of cows to sell, but the number of buyers was less. Talking to Bangladesh Post, some traders said they were disappointed due to the unfavourable weather conditions. Abbas, a cattle trader from Magura, said, “We’re yet to get the genuine response from customers. A few buyers are coming, but no one is buying.”
“Maybe, people are waiting for the last day to buy their sacrificial animals. If bad weather continues for two more days, it will bring a difficult situation for us,” he said. On a visit to the Gabtoli permanent cattle market on Thursday, this correspondent saw more than 5,000 heads of cattle on display, but not many customers, driving them to bargain with traders. Cattle traders said the price of a cow for sacrifice has on average increased approximately Tk 15,000 to Tk 30,000 compared to prices last year.
Hamid Mia, 40, a cattle trader who came from Kushtia to Gabtioli permanent cattle market said, “I arrived in the cattle market with 15 cows two days ago. But, no buyer has asked the price of my cows.” Asked about the price, Hamid said that the asking price of his big cow was Tk 8 lakh and other cows, from one to four lakh.
Khokon, another trader who came from Manikganj with two big sized cows, asked for five lakh for each. When asked why the price was so high, he said, “We have to pay more for cattle food. Last year, the price of chaff was Tk 25 to Tk 28 per kilogramme, whereas the price has gone up to Tk 38 per kg this year.” While visiting Uttar Shahjahanpur cattle market at Maitree Shangho playground and Khilgoan makeshift cattle market at Meradia Bazar Playground, this correspondent found these cattle markets were almost out of buyers though cattle owners were waiting to sell a large number of cows and goats on Thursday noon.
Rafiqul Alam, a cattle trader said, “I came from Sirajganj with eight cattlehead on Wednesday. Only two buyers have asked the price of my two cows, but none offered the required price.” Lokman, another seller from Magura district, said, “We came here with 10 cows on Wednesday, but could not get any buyers for my cows till now.”
Leaseholders said that inclement weather was the main reason for low presence of buyers. When asked, Uttar Shahjahanpur cattle market leaseholder Md Abdul Lotif told Bangladesh Post, “Yesterday, the number of buyers was less for rain. We have expected the gathering of buyers will increase from today.” Only 25 cattle were sold till Friday noon at his cattle market, he added.
Contacted, another leaseholder Jakir Hossen told Bangladesh Post, “Large number of traders are waiting to sell their cattle. But, they are not getting response from the buyers. Only 15 to 20 cattle were sold since the start of this market, whereas about 2,000 cattle were sold this time last year.” Jakir Hossin is the leaseholder of Gopibagh Balur Math and open spaces adjacent to Kamalapur Stadium.
Other leaseholders of different cattle markets claimed the same. Some buyers said, the price of cows was very high. They are waiting for the last moment. On the other hand, goat price seems reasonable. Enam, a buyer seemed very happy to buy two goats from Aftabnagar Eastern Housing cattle market. Enam said, “I have bought two goats for Tk 60,000 (Tk 30,000 each). The goats weigh nearly one maund.” Abdul Halim, a goat herder, who came from Manikganj said, “The goat price starts at Tk 6,000 up to Tk 30,000.”
