Cattle price high in 3 dists, low in Gaibandha

Prices of sacrificial animals in Chapainawabganj, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh are high while it is low in Gaibandha comparatively.

The cattle prices in Chapainawabganj have increased due to absence of Indian cows, while farmers in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh are happy as prices have risen due to adequate supply as well as presence of a large number of buyers.

Farmers in Gaibandha are disappointed as buyers offer lower prices compared to last year.

The flow of cattle from India through Chapainawabganj has decreased due to strict measures taken by Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

Customs, Excise and Vat officials in Rajshahi said a total of 35,966 cattle came from India in July this year while it was 68,501 last year.

Trader Ekramul Haque said cattle prices rose as the supply of Indian cattle is insufficient. Another reason for price-hike is rise in prices of cattle feed, said trader Azizul Haque.

Abdul Mahed in Mohonpur upazila of Rajshahi said he has been coming here before Eid-ul-Azha for the last ten years, but had never seen this kind of situation.

Mohammad Al Mahbub of Arambag in the city said cattle prices increased by 30 to 40 percent this year compared to last year.

Meanwhile, sale in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh has gained momentum as the markets have sufficient supply of cattle with adequate buyers. 

Cattle prices have increased as traders from other districts are buying a good number of cattle.

Traders and buyers throng Dariyapur cattle market in Gaibandha. PHOTO: STAR

This correspondent found abundance of cattle at markets in the districts while Indian cattle were not seen.          

Medium-sized bulls were sold between Tk 38,000 and Tk 48,000, an increase of around Tk 10,000 from the previous week while the smaller ones cost between Tk 32,000 and Tk 40,000, said farmers and traders. 

Sajjad Selim, lessee of Fakirganj Haat in Atwary upazila of Panchagarh, said the prices suddenly jumped from Tk 8,000 to Tk 10,000 per cow compared to the previous haat day.

He said traders are buying more cattle from the local markets than the previous year, which led to the jump in prices.  

Trader Tariqul Islam, 46, at Boda Bazar, said prices have gone up from the previous week as a good number of cattle are being taken to other districts, including Dhaka and Chittagong. The absence of Indian cattle is another reason for the good price, he said.

Thakurgaon Livestock Officer Altaf Hossain said about 35,000 sacrificial cattle are needed during Eid-ul-Azha in the district while 46,117 animals are reared here.  

In Panchagarh, 20,000 cattle are needed during the festival while the farmers reared 46,346 cattle, a livestock official said.

Although there are sufficient cattle in Gaibandha markets, sales are low as potential buyers bargain over the price but do not purchase immediately.

As many as 31 big and small cattle markets have been set up in Gaibandha. Of them, 18 are permanent and the 13 others are temporary.

Cattle trader Erfan Ali in Gobindaganj Upazila said he brought three cattle for sale during the last three days, but returned disappointed as purchasers offered low price.

He hoped that the price will increase before Eid.

Buyer Ashraful Islam in Sadullapur upazila said cattle price is within the purchasing capacity this year, but they are waiting for further price fall.

Ayanuddin, leaseholder of Dariyapur market, said Indian cows flooded the market in previous years, but this year they are yet to be seen.

Security measures have been taken by police in all the cattle markets to maintain law and order and prevent transaction of counterfeit currencies in the markets, said Khan Md Shahrier of Gaibandha Sadar Police Station.

Correspondents in Chapainawabganj, Thakurgaon and Gaibandha contributed to the report.