Rangpur: Local markets in Rangpur division have been witnessing an all-time record supply of sacrificial animals, with sales reaching the highest level, a day before Eid-ul-Adha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, livestock farm owners and farmers have noted a significant rise in animal prices but have opted to keep local animals in anticipation of better prices for sacrificial sales. Cattle traders reported that the sales peaked recently as buyers flocked to the markets to purchase sacrificial animals. Buyers have shown a preference for healthy, medium-sized local cows raised naturally over artificially fattened and large-sized ones.
Despite the increased sales, farmers and ranchers have expressed concerns over facing losses due to low prices. They attributed these losses to the rising costs associated with raising cows, particularly due to the increased price of animal feed.
Dr. Md Abdul Hye Sarkar, Rangpur Divisional Livestock Department Director, highlighted a recent revolution in the livestock sector, noting an increase in cattle head production. He stated that against the demand of 1,412,000 sacrificial animals for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, farmers and families have produced 1,980,390, resulting in a surplus of 568,000 animals across the division. This surplus indicates that Rangpur no longer needs to import animals to meet local demand, promising fair prices for locally raised animals.
Rangpur District Livestock Officer Dr. Md Abu Sayeed mentioned that 25,651 cattle farms and farmers have produced 363,312 sacrificial animals, including cows, against a demand of 224,752, leaving a surplus of 138,560 in Rangpur district. Livestock medical teams have been deployed at markets to check the health status of the animals, and measures like the installation of currency checking machines and enhanced security have been taken to ensure smooth trading and transportation.
Cattle traders, including Dulal Ahmed and Farhad Hossain at Lalbagh cattle market, expressed satisfaction with the government's measures. They anticipated higher prices due to the increase in feed costs, but the abundant supply has kept prices stable. Bulls, calves, and cows are being sold for Taka 70,000 to Taka 95,000 depending on size and quality, while larger bulls are priced between Taka three to four lakh.
Mahmudul Hasan, a cattle farm owner, shared his experience of having to sell his large bulls at lower prices than expected due to financial needs. He cited a threefold increase in feed prices as a significant factor in raising costs over the years, impacting the selling price amidst the record supply.
Similarly, large-sized goats are being sold for Taka 25,000 to Taka 45,000, medium-sized goats for Taka 20,000 to Taka 25,000, and small-sized goats for Taka 14,000 to Taka 19,000 each in the local markets.