Dhaka's morning began with heavy rain. Hours of downpour kept buyers away from the sacrificial cattle markets, and mud and standing water left the markets largely at a standstill. The rain disrupted the unloading of animals and buyers' inspections. But as the afternoon wore on, the scene changed quickly.

As soon as the rain stopped, crowds began to build at the Aftabnagar cattle market in the capital. Many came with their families to buy the cow of their choice. With traders calling out, bargaining and crowds of buyers, the market began to come alive.

A visit to Aftabnagar on the afternoon of 25 May found buyers more interested in small and medium cattle than large ones. These cattle, being relatively cheaper, drew noticeable crowds.

Many buyers said prices being asked this year were somewhat higher than last year, and complained that even small cattle were out of reach.

Mahbub Hossain, a private-sector employee who came from Rampura with his family, told Jagonews24, "I couldn't come in the morning because of the rain. I came in the afternoon and found the market busy. But prices are very high. A cow that could be had for Tk 90,000 last year, they are now asking over Tk 1 lakh for."

Nusrat Jahan, a resident of Badda, said, "We planned to come in the morning but couldn't because of the rain. We set out by bus after it stopped, in the afternoon. We are looking for a small cow with a budget of under Tk 1 lakh. But very high prices are being asked even for small cattle, and bargaining doesn't bring them down much."

Kamrul Islam, a businessman from Banasree, said, "I planned to buy a cow a little early, so I came to the market today. This market is well inside from the main road, so I can't come again and again. I will look around and take a cow home today. There are plenty of cattle, but sellers are asking high prices. Still, I intend to bargain and buy one."

Another buyer, Rafiqul Islam, said people had started coming as the weather cooled after the rain. "It is nice looking at cattle with the family, but prices are a worry for the middle class, because all the traders are asking a lot. Prices may come down a little later. So I have decided to look around today and buy tomorrow or the day after."

Traders said they had to buy cattle at higher prices from farms and villages, on top of higher transport costs, which is why prices are a little higher this year.

Abdul Malek, a trader who brought cattle from Pabna, said, "Sales were completely stopped by the morning rain. Buyers started coming after midday. We brought 20 cows and sold two today." Responding to complaints of high prices, he said, "We bought cattle in the villages at higher prices this year, and truck fares have also risen a lot. So it is hard to sell cheaply. We are not asking too much. We let them go for a small profit."

Md Swapan, a trader from Sirajganj, said, "It has been three days since I brought cattle to the market. Today is the first time I could sell. Three cows have been sold. It rained a lot this morning so the market could not start; sales began around midday. We think the main sales will start tomorrow and the day after." On prices, he said, "Feed costs and labour costs have all gone up this year. People only see the price at the market, but many don't understand what it costs to bring a cow to Dhaka. All our costs have risen, so prices are a little higher than last year."

Shahidul Islam, a trader from Tangail, said demand for small cattle was highest this year. "Four of us brought 30 cows together and sold two today. We are selling ours for between Tk 1 lakh and Tk 1.4 lakh." He added that nothing sold in the morning because of the rain, and although buyers started coming after it stopped, the sky was still overcast at about 3pm, so fewer people were about. "We hope to see the main rush of buyers tomorrow and the day after," he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.