Khulna: Traders have successfully collected around 3.27 lakh rawhides from all 10 districts under the Khulna division during the holy Eid-ul-Azha. This collection took place mainly between Saturday and Monday, with rawhides sourced from madrasas, orphanages, Lillah boarding, mosques, and individuals.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the control room from Khulna division under the Ministry of Commerce reported that this year, madrasas, orphanages, and Lillah boarding schools across the 10 districts collected and preserved a total of 3,26,794 pieces of cow, buffalo, and goat hides. Of these, 1,19,112 hides were from cows and buffaloes, while 2,07,682 were from goats, sheep, and other sacrificial animals.
The distribution of collected rawhides by district is as follows: Jashore – 75,185 pieces, Jhenaidah – 93,736 pieces, Kushtia – 36,737 pieces, Narail – 30,715 pieces, Satkhira – 23,313 pieces, Khulna – 22,742 pieces, Meherpur – 18,085 pieces, Bagerhat – 13,057 pieces, Magura – 7,152 pieces, and Chuadanga – 6,072 pieces. These hides were preserved using free salt supplied by the government, with district and upazila administrations overseeing the process.
This year, the government distributed 7.50 lakh maunds of salt free of cost to orphanages, mosques, and madrasas nationwide, ensuring that sacrificial hides could be preserved for 2 to 3 months at the local level. This initiative also aimed to protect the rights of orphans by helping institutions maintain the value of the hides.
The price of rawhides has seen a slight increase compared to last year, while the price of salt in the market has decreased slightly. Approximately 150 grams to 200 grams of salt are required to preserve each kilogram of rawhide.
Akil Ahmed, President of Jashore Rawhides Traders Association, mentioned to BSS that a clearer picture of rawhide trading will emerge next Saturday. He noted that the collection did not meet the earlier set targets due to a lack of laborers to apply salt to the rawhides.
Abdus Salam Dhali, President of Khulna Rawhide Traders Association, also remarked that the prices of rawhides, set by the government, are mainly for preserved and processed hides. He cited inadequate laborers, limited tannery depots, and a decline in rawhide prices as challenges in meeting collection expectations.
The government has fixed the prices of salt-applied cow hides at Tk 60 to Tk 65 per square foot in the city and Tk 55 to Tk 60 per square foot outside the capital. Goat hides were set at Tk 22 to Tk 27 per square foot, with she-goat hides priced at Tk 20 to Tk 22 per square foot nationwide.
Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin highlighted the challenges faced by the leather sector over the past 15 years, noting efforts by the interim government to dismantle syndicates in the industry. He emphasized the government’s focus on protecting the rights of orphanages and madrasas by ensuring fair rawhide prices. The government has provided 7.50 lakh maunds of salt for preservation and disbursed Taka 220 crore to tannery owners to enhance capacity ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.