Eid cattle markets get momentum in Chattogram

The nation will observe the holly Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, on July 21. Markets of sacrificial animals in the port city have started picking up momentum since Monday morning. There are 3 permanent hats out of 6 cattle markets in the city. The permanent hats are Sagarika, Postarpar (goat market) and Bibirhat while the makeshift markets include Karnafuli, Saltgola Rail Crossing, and Patenga (TK Group Field).

Visiting the sites our correspondent reported that cattle of different sizes have been lined up by hanging samiyana and triple. If the buyers like it, the traders are asking prices according to their demand and sold them if they get a fair price. Amin Bepari from Kushtia, who came to Sagarika market with cattle, said, “I came to the market with 30 cattle. Not a single cattle have been sold in the last few days. However, the sales have got momentum since yesterday. Two more days left. If there is a demand for sacrificial animals in Chattogram like before, I hope to get a fair price at the last moment.

Another trader Abshar Mia of Gopalganj said, “I have brought 9 cattle. Of these, four have been sold. I am waiting for a fair price to sell the rest. Zakari Hossain, a trader at Sagarika Goat Market, said the demand for goats is a bit high as people are in financial crisis due to corona. Sales are also going well. Hope to sell better in the remaining two days. Faridpur’s farmer Ruhul Amin, who came to Bibirhat Bazar, said the sale of animals in Chattogram usually starts two days before Eid. Earlier, there were buyers but there was no sale. There is some trade from today. However, people are in financial crisis and I am worried about large sizes cattle.

Halishahar trader Ariful Haque who came to Sagarika Bazar to buy cattle, said, “I went back the day before as I could not buy sacrificial animals. Traders are demanding more than double the price. Meanwhile, there is no time. In the end, people may have to buy at a higher price. Another buyer, Rana Ahmed, said there was no way but to buy sacrificial animals at higher prices. Moreover, traders have a good idea about the market in Chattogram. So they are demanding higher prices despite Eid is due two days.

According to the District Livestock Office, the number of livestock raised locally is increasing every year. Chattogram has produced more than twice as many animals in 6 years. In 2021, 7,55,000 cattle were reared up in Chattogram. It was 6,89,000 last year. Chattogram District Livestock Officer Reazul Haque said the demand for sacrificial animals this year in Chattogram has been fixed at 8,09,000. In contrast, 7,57, 334 sacrificial animals were reared up in Chattogram. Of which 5,10, 040 are bull, 63,138 buffaloes, 1,83,063 goats and sheep, and 95 other animals. In addition, the demand for animals from different districts will be met.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry has formed a five-member committee in the Chattogram division to oversee the conservation, sale, and transportation of cowhides. The members of the committee will supervise for the next five days from the day of Eid. Bangladesh Tea Board Secretary Lutfun Nahar made team leader of the supervisory committee. The other members of the committee are Abdur Rahim, Controller of Chattogram Import and Export office,  Mohammad Fayez Ullah, Deputy Director, National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, Harun Aur Rashid, Deputy Registrar, RJSC, Jamal Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Senior Executive, TCB Regional Office.