Huge supply, small sale of cattle

Though Eid-ul-Azha is only a few days away, cattle markets in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh, which usually become busy two weeks before the festival, see very little sale.     

 Due to less demand and more supply of sacrificial animals in the markets, the prices have dropped in comparison to a week ago but are still higher than last  year's, cattle traders said.

Cattle traders said prices of sacrificial animals increased sharply a month ago as farmers and traders thought the prices would be higher than the previous year as cattle supply from India was restricted this year.   

Sale in the cattle markets is yet to get momentum as the prices are higher this year in comparison to the same time last year. Local buyers are yet to buy animals, while the traders from other districts are worried about suffering losses.

During a visit to different cattle markets in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh on Saturday and Sunday, this correspondent saw that farmers and traders have brought large number of sacrificial animals to the markets, but there is very little sale.

Buyers said the prices were higher than last year, though they dropped a little in the previous week.  

The cattle farmers and traders are not ready to reduce the prices of the animals as there are a few more days before Eid. 

Hasibul Islam, a cattle trader in Boda cattle market, the largest market in Panchagarh, said selling of sacrificial animals was yet to get momentum as the buyers feel the prices are still too high. He said prices will drop in the next few days as there is a large stock of sacrificial animals.

Nazrul Islam, another trader in the bazar, said the prices dropped a little as Indian cattle have started coming to the markets.  

Sudaru, a cattle trader in Moidandighi village under Boda upazila of Panchagarh, said he bought two medium-sized bulls for Tk 85,000 about two weeks ago, but has not been able to sell them yet.

Md Zaman, lessee of Nekmarad Haat in Ranishankoil upazila of Thakurgaon, said cattle prices dropped by Tk 2,000-Tk 5,000 per animal yesterday due to huge supply in comparison to demand.

District Livestock Officer of Thakurgaon Md Rafiqul Islam said cattle farming increased in the district this year. Around 21,000 families raised about 4,68,000 cows, 6,000 goats, 170 buffaloes and 1,200 sheep under the cattle fattening programme centring Eid-Ul-Azha. 

About 33,000-34,000 cattle are needed during Eid-ul-Azha in the district, he added.