Prices of sacrificial animals high, say buyers

People of Dhaka city started purchasing their sacrificial animals yesterday. Markets, however, have not reached their peaks yet due to prices being high.

Traders of cattle markets blamed last year's loss and increased cost of fodder for the high price of the cattle this year.

They are expecting good profits which would cover up last year's loss.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the high prices, many customers said that traders are charging Tk 10,000-30,000 higher for mid-size bulls compared to last year.

“I have purchased a bull for Tk 75,000. A similar sized bull cost Tk 52,000 last year,” said Nazmul Hasan, a resident of Kazipara, who was at Kachukhet cattle market.

“I counted a loss of Tk 5 lakh last year. I am expecting good profit this year as the number of sacrificial animals is 20 to 30 percent less compared to last year,” said Mosharraf Hossain, a trader from Horina Kundo of Jhenaidah, who brought 31 bulls to Dhupkhola cattle market.

Justifying the higher prices this year, Rashid Bepari, a cattle trader from Pabna, said that on an average he had to spend Tk 120 per day for fodder last year, but this year the expenditure has gone up to Tk 200 per day.

The price of a bundle of hay which was Tk 70 last year is now Tk 150, and the price chickpea, which was Tk 70-75 per kilogram is now Tk 85, said Hamidul Islam, a trader from Sirajganj who brought 19 bulls at the cattle market near Sadeque Hossain Khoka playground.

However, government statistics show that the local supply will meet the demands for sacrificial animals this year.

According to Department of Livestock (DLS), the country has 1.15 crore animals, including 44.57 lakh bulls and buffaloes, that can be sacrificed during Eid.

Some 10.79 lakh cattle were brought through corridors from neighbouring countries in 2017-18, according to data provided by National Board of Revenue. Traders last month brought 63,000 animals from neighbouring countries.

ABM Khaleduzzaman, assistant director of DLS, said that about 1.10 crore cattle would be sacrificed during this Eid-ul-Azha. Last year the number was 1.04 crore. 

Abul Hashem, manager of Gabtoli cattle market, said that a good number of sacrificial animals have arrived at the market but the turnout of customers was still sparse.

He hoped that the number of customers will increase today and tomorrow.

EXCESSIVE HEAT

Many bulls at different cattle markets were unwell from their long and arduous journeys in the harsh heat.

Taiful Islam, a cattle trader from Kushtia, said that he brought 30 animals to Gabtoli few days back; one of them died due to the excessive heat and five more fell ill.

“I have incurred a loss of Tk 45,000 but I am still hopeful as the prices of sacrificial animals are high at the moment,” he said.

Taiful said that he had already sold three mid-size bulls and made around Tk 25,000 profit.

MALINGA BULL

A bull, half of which is covered with curly hair, was brought to Dhupkhola cattle market -- drawing attention of customers.

The name of the breed is Malinga.

A farm in Keraniganj raised the bull for three years. It was brought from Chennai, India, said Md Faruk, one of the owners of the bull.

He said that the asking price of the bull is Tk 6.20 lakh, and they have already received a Tk 3.80 lakh offer.

CATTLE MARKETS ON STREETS

This year two city corporations have given permission to run 24 makeshift cattle markets. DSCC gave permission for 15 while DNCC is allowing nine.

But most of the cattle markets have been occupying parts of roads which is hampering vehicular movement.

During a visit to the cattle markets, including the adjoining open space of Sadeque Hossain Khoka playground, open space at the eastern side of Kamalapur Stadium, and open space at Gopibagh it was found that most of the roads were occupied by sacrificial animals.