Sale of sacrificial animals has reached peak at lower price than expectation amid huge supply and inclement weather frustrating farmers and traders in the northern cattle markets, only two days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Following ‘recently imposed ban on export’ of cattle heads form India, price of bullocks and calves sky-rocketed for shortfall in supply in the local markets recently.
Under such situation that continued till the last week, the local farmers had a real expectation of getting pleasant price of their reared local variety cattle-heads by selling those before Eid-ul-Azha festivity this time.
According to markets sources, price of the sacrificial animals started falling since ‘re-beginning of import of huge number of cattle-heads from India mainly through the corridors’ in recent days.
As a result, the farmers as well as cattle traders are now disappointed over lower animal price and fearing losses due to record supply of the locally reared and ‘imported’ bullocks, calves, cows and buffaloes in the cattle markets.
On the other hand, the concerned administrations have taken adequate security measures and are conducting patrols round the clock for ensuing smooth carrying of cattle heads on the roads and highways.
Besides, currency screening machines have been installed in the cattle markets for preventing use of fake notes and forgery in the markets on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha.
The superintendents of police have been leading special patrol parties along with senior police officials on the roads and highways for ensuring smooth carrying of cattle-heads by trucks and traffic management systems in every northern district.
According to market sources, the buyers have mostly been preferring and purchasing the locally reared and better quality cattle heads this year than the illogically fattened and ‘imported’ ones from India. The farmers are getting almost the same price like the last year or even less price of their reared bullocks, calves, cows, goats and buffaloes following huge ‘imports’ in recent days.
Meanwhile, the bigger animal traders have been sending their locally purchased and ‘imported’ cattle heads, thousands in number, to the capital city and other parts of the country as price of the same is lower now in the region for huge supply.
Animal traders Musfikur Rahman, Montaz Ahmed and Istiaque Ahamed at Lalbag cattle market in the city said the supply further increased today than demand in the market where most cattle heads are being sold at almost the same price like last year.
Sources at Pirganj, Badarganj, Kawnia, Pirgachha, Nisbetganj, Taraganj, Mithapukur, Mominpur and other bigger markets of Rangpur said price of the bigger bulls are almost similar on an average this time like last year.
Farmer Mohammad Ali said he expected to sell his bull at Taka 75,000, but one buyer purchased it at Taka 60,000 and farmer Nur Mohammad sold his bullock at Taka 38,000, less by Taka 5,000 than his expectation.
However, the local animal farmers are being found comparatively happier as the buyers prefer to purchase the locally reared healthier bullocks having huge demand than the artificially fattened or ‘imported’ animals.
According to market sources, price of the sacrificial animals might mark further fall from tomorrow as the buyers are trying to complete their purchase by today amid huge supply, mainly of the locally reared bullocks, calves, cows and buffaloes.
An extra large bull was being sold today at rates between Taka 60,000 to 75,000 against last years’ Taka 55,000 to 75,000 and large one at Taka 45,000 to 55,000 against last year’s Taka 45,000 to 50,000.
A medium-size bull was selling at Taka 30,000 to 35,000 like last year while a small one at Taka 18,000 to 25,000 against Taka 17,000 to 23,000 last year just two-day ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.
Meanwhile, goats were being sold at better price and the big goats are was being sold today at Taka 15,000 to 20,000, medium- size at Taka 10,000 to 14,000 while a small one at Taka 5,000 to 8,000 at different markets in Rangpur and other adjoining districts.
