Cattle markets gaining steam

With only two days left, cattle markets in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country gathered momentum on Thursday. Many prospective buyers were seen visiting several markets to gauge price trends of sacrificial animals of different sizes and waiting for a reduced price at the last moment. 

There were no shortages of cattle, according to various sources. "All the markets are bustling with cattle, goats and sheep of different sizes and colors," said a buyer who visited a number of markets in the city.  This year, a total of 4,407 cattle markets has been set up across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. 

Meanwhile, two trains from Dewanganj Bazar in the eastern part of Jamalpur and one train from the western part of Chapainawabganj arrived in Dhaka on the Cattle Special Train operated by Bangladesh Railway. The total number of cows in these two trains was 800. 

According another report, cattle trading in the capital was reported low as traders sought high prices for sacrificial animals from prospective buyers.

Makeshift markets at Kamalapur, Shajahanpur, Jatrabari and Shanirakhra areas were found traders taking care of cattleheads. Customers were seen looking and sizing up cattle, and asking their prices.

This year, the prices of different sizes of animals are comparatively high compared to last year's, according to traders and customers.

Traders have attributed high prices due to increased prices of cattle fodder.

They asked Tk 80,000-90,000 for a small-size animal while Tk 120,000-150,000 for a lower medium-size bull or oxen.

On the other hand, the prices of big-size cattle ranged between Tk 0.3 million and Tk 1.5 million.

Abdur Razzaque, a trader from Atgoria, Pabna, brought five large-size animals to Kamalapur cattle market.

"I want to sell this cow (indicating one of his cattle) at Tk 1.0 million as it will give 33-maund meat," he said.

Many curious people were asking him the prices but nobody dares purchase a single one yet.

Mr Razzaque hopes to sell the cows by Saturday at little bit low prices than his current asking rates.

He says most of the customers, especially limited-income buyers, prefer small- and lower medium-size cows considering their affordability.

Badal, a trader from Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district, has brought 30 small-size cows to Shanirakhra cattle market.

He said that he wants to sell his cows at Tk 50,000-90,000 each.

A handful of customers were seen purchasing cows at the cattle markets.

"I purchased a small-size cow at Tk 75,000 to avoid last time hassle," Mostafizur Rahman, a businessman, said at Jatrabari.

However, traders hope that cattle sales will gather some momentum from Thursday.

A member of the Kamalapur cattle market committee says they are charging 5.0-per cent hasil from the selling of each cow or goat.

Meanwhile, police control rooms are being set up at cattle markets to facilitate sales and beef up security of customers.

Despite government directives, most of the customers and traders did not wear facemask and flouted the coronavirus health-safety guideline.

When asked, a high official of the fisheries and livestock ministry says veterinarians have been employed at every cattle market to help buyers purchase healthy animals.

Gabtoli and Sharulia permanent cattle markets aside, 19 such markets sat in different places under Dhaka north and south city corporations.

Ctg Correspondent adds: as Eid-ul-Azha nears, cattle sales gained pace in Chattogram and its adjacent areas. The number of buyers at the port city's six cattle markets-three permanent and the rest temporary ones-was  also increasing.

The cattle markets kicked off selling animals since July 01.

Chattogram City Corporation sources said 200-300 regular cattle traders suppled cattle to these markets daily.

The regular cattle markets are sited at Bibirhat, Sagarika and Postarpar and the makeshift ones at Saltgola, Butterfly Park and Karnaphuli Bridge.

Unlike last year, the city authorities have not permitted two biggest temporary cattle markets, Katgor Bazar and Steel Mills Bazar in the port city.

The temporary cattle markets have been allowed to trade for 10 days from July 01 till the morning of Eid day.

Digital cattle market heating up

Meanwhile, the sale of sacrificial animals through online platforms has been steadily increasing over the past few days, with sellers expecting demand to peak soon as Eid-ul-Azha approaches.

As in previous years, digital cattle markets have been launched both at the government’s initiative as well as by several top e-commerce platforms. 

Cows and goats make up the vast majority of animals on offer. Buyers select the animals from photos and videos.

Asad Khan has been buying sacrificial animals through online platforms during Eid since last year for convenience and because it reduces the chances of contracting Covid-19. He has booked a cow on Digital Haat this year as he was satisfied with their service last year.

The third edition of Digital Haat, a public-private joint venture, was inaugurated on July 3. The website address has been permanently changed from .net to .gov.

More than 900 regional haats have been added to the platform this year, which includes an app as well as a website. The service will be available in Chittagong, Rajshahi and Jessore as well as Dhaka. 

The management of this haat is being jointly handled by the Ministry of Commerce, Dhaka North City Corporation, Bangladesh Dairy Farm Association, A2I, Ekshop, and E-Cab.

Apart from a call centre and live chat facility, there is a live haat option to get updates on new animals. The platform does not place any charges on buyers or sellers, and includes the option for donations of the skins of animals.

The country's top e-commerce platforms Daraz, Bikroy.com and Priyoshop are all selling sacrificial animals. E-commerce experts said that the sale of sacrificial animals on the platforms started a month ago and many have already been sold. 

Ishita Sharmin, chief executive of Bikroy.com, said customers used to worry about the weight and delivery of the animals bought on e-commerce platforms, but their perception has changed. “People trust our services after having availed of them over the past few years.”

About 10,000 animals are being advertised on Bikroy.com, a large number of which have already been sold. 

1,739 veterinary medical teams deployed 

Meanwhile, a total of 1,739 veterinary medical teams have been deployed in cattle markets across the country to provide medical services to sacrificial animals and prevent the sale of sick and not fit animals for qurbani (sacrifice). 

Besides, 22 veterinary medical teams have also been deployed in cattle markets in Dhaka south and north city corporation areas in the capital. 

Department of Livestock Services (DLS) deployed the medical teams at the directives of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, reports BSS citing a press release. 

According to the release, nine deputy secretary level officials of the ministry have been given responsibility of monitoring the activities of the veterinary medical teams and other activities in the cattle markets in the city.  

Apart from the ministry officials, 12 monitoring teams of the DLS will also supervise the cattle markets in the capital.