Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :
Seasonal rawhide traders are facing yet another year of financial loss as the market price of sacrificial animal skins is much lower than what the government get. The businessmen alleged that a syndicate is behind it, saying that most of the new hides remained unsold at throwaway.
Retail rawhide traders in 13 upazilas of Kishoreganj are incurring losses as they are counting more money for buying salt due to its ongoing scarcity after the holy Eid-ul-Azha festival.
Businessmen in Kishoreganj sadar, Bhirab, Bajitpur, Kuliarchar, Katiadi and Karimganj expressed their frustration over the current salt crisis.
They alleged, the situation has turned volatile as tanners have manipulated rawhide prices. After buying and processing rawhides at an increased cost, they have been compelled to sell the rawhides in the market at a low rate. They purchased rawhides at Tk 300 to 450 per piece.
Seasonal rawhide trader Sundur Ali of Harua in Kishoreganj town said, “I purchased 50 pieces of cowhide at an average rate of Tk 400 each. I cannot sell those at above Tk 350. I have to count a big loss this year.”
Wholesaler Belal Miah said, “I purchased 500 cowhides. When I took those to the market I found the traders purchasing the rawhide at Tk 350 per piece which is lower than my buying prices. I am going to suffer a financial loss this year.”
Aminul Islam,a wholesaler of Bhairab Bazar said, the leather traders’ association could not fix the prices of rawhide this year as its prices in international markets have fallen sharply.
“Dishonest traders may smuggle rawhide into our neighbouring country if the government does not take necessary steps immediately,” he also feared.
Seasonal rawhide traders also suffered sale trickery in warehouses. Wholesale traders are identifying defects in the supplied hides, and are offering poor prices, it was alleged. This year, 90,000 animals including cow and goat were sacrificed in Kishoreganj district.
President of Leather Trader Association in Kishoreganj Mujibur Rahman Halud Chairman said the rawhide preservation cost has increased; many have closed their businesses.
