Traders from across the country have already brought sacrificial animals to Dhaka's markets for Eid-ul-Azha, and more arrive with cattle and goats every day. But sales have not yet picked up; for now it is mostly bargaining. Buyers come in ones and twos, and some animals are selling, but not noticeably. Sellers and market committees hope the markets will get busy from tonight.

Visits to the Shahjahanpur and Meradia markets on 13 June found some traders busy caring for their animals, others chatting with neighbours to pass the time, and some talking to family on the phone about how sales were going.

At Meradia, trader Ainal Hossain told Jagonews24: "Buyers came last night and this morning and looked at the cattle. They told us what they liked. But because of the lack of space at home, they don't want to buy early. I hope sales will pick up by this afternoon or tonight."

At Shahjahanpur, cattle seller Esken said: "So far no significant number of buyers has come. A few came last night, but very few. I hope the market gets busy from tonight, and we will get good prices too."

The market committee agrees with the traders. Shahjahanpur market committee member Ponir said: "The government holiday starts today. Buyers may come to the market from tonight. Since this morning a few buyers have been coming, walking around and looking at the cattle and goats they like."

This year 20 sacrificial animal markets have been set up in the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) areas: 11 in the south city, including the permanent Sarulia market, and 9 in the north city, including the permanent Gabtoli market. Law enforcement personnel are working for the safety of buyers and sellers, and volunteers and lessees are working round the clock.

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