Big cows see low demand, Eid markets buzzing with sales despite shortage of small animals

As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, cattle markets in the capital are witnessing a last-minute rush of buyers. While small and medium-sized cows and goats are in high demand, they are now in short supply just a day before Eid.

Although the sale of large cows has increased slightly in the final hours, sellers say buyers are not showing much interest in animals priced over six lakh taka. They fear losses if they are forced to lower prices and prefer to wait until the last moment.

To meet the growing demand, traders are bringing in cattle from different parts of the country.

Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on Saturday (June 7), so Friday (June 6) marks the final day of the cattle markets.

Nazmul Islam, who came to Gabtoli cattle market from Moghbazar, said, “My budget is Tk90,000. Last year I bought a medium-sized cow for that amount. But this time, I don’t see any small or medium cows in the market.”

Shahinur Rahman from Rampura said, “There is no shortage of big cows, but not everyone can afford them. We, the middle-class buyers, can’t find the kind of cows we’re looking for.”

Sellers say raising large cows is expensive, and they must charge more to cover their costs.

Abu Bakar, a farmer from Mymensingh, said, “I’ve raised this large cow over several years, spending a lot. If I can’t get a good price now, I’ll be at a loss. Buyers walk away after hearing the price. Now I have to sell them at a slight loss.”

Four wholesale traders came from Sreebardi in Sherpur with 47 cows to the Diabari temporary cattle market in Uttara. One of them, Kalam Mia, said they already sold 41 cows and hoped to sell the remaining six soon.

Khalek Mojumder, a trader from Santhia in Pabna, said one of his cows is priced at nearly Tk2.5 lakh, but buyers are offering that price for two animals. “If I get three lakh for both cows, I’ll sell and head home,” he added.

Aslam Uddin came to the Diabari market from Pallabi in Mirpur-12. He said, “Sellers are not willing to lower prices now that there are fewer animals left.” He’s looking to buy a medium-sized cow for between Tk1.2 and Tk1.5 lakh.

Shafiqul Islam, a trader from Kushtia, brought more than 20 goats. He said he had no sales in the past two days, but some are selling now.

The scene is similar at the Kamalapur cattle market under Dhaka South City Corporation. Buyers reported that sellers weren’t lowering prices for the remaining animals in the afternoon. Still, they were satisfied with the price they paid.

Shahin Ahmed, a representative of the Kamalapur market leaseholder, said in the afternoon, “There were many buyers in the morning, and sales were good. But we still have enough cows in the market. More animals are arriving from wholesalers.”