Holy Eid-ul-Azha, one of the main festivals of Muslims, is only a day away. Buyers are heading to markets to buy animals to sacrifice according to their means. The markets have filled up, and many are going home with cows bought after bargaining. Buyers are satisfied with the prices.

Talking to buyers and sellers at various markets in the capital on Thursday (5 June), Jago News found cows so far selling for less than last year. Sellers claim they are getting Tk 20,000 to 30,000 less per lakh than last year. Buyers also say cows can be bought somewhat cheaper this year.

At the temporary cattle market in Merul Badda, many had arrived to buy cows before 10am. With no markets at Aftabnagar and Meradia this year, residents of Rampura, Banasree, Badda and nearby areas are coming to Merul Badda. Amid the crowd of buyers and visitors, a sudden light rain turned the paths muddy, and many were seen wading through the mud to buy cows according to their means and taste.

Md Israfil, a resident of Badda, bought a cow for Tk 1 lakh 20 thousand. The seller first asked Tk 1 lakh 60 thousand, and Israfil offered Tk 1 lakh 10 thousand. When the seller refused and Israfil tried to move on, the seller said he could take it for Tk 1 lakh 40 thousand. After more bargaining, the cow was sold for Tk 1 lakh 20 thousand.

After buying, Md Israfil told Jago News prices were fairly low so far this year. "Last year a cow like this didn't sell for less than Tk 1 lakh 50 thousand. I'm happy to buy it for Tk 1 lakh 20 thousand and I like the cow. I saw a few others; cows of this size are selling for Tk 1 lakh 20-30 thousand."

Md Jamal Hossain, a trader who brought cattle from Mymensingh, said sales had been good since the morning, but prices were much lower. "Cows are selling Tk 20,000 to 30,000 per lakh cheaper than last year. People are bargaining hard too. I'm selling as long as I get some profit."

Kamal Hossain, who brought 12 cows from Jamalpur, said he brought small cows and has been bringing cattle to Dhaka for five years. "Prices are much lower this time. For a cow I sold for over Tk 1 lakh last year, many are offering Tk 70,000 to 75,000. I have sold six of the 12 and will sell the rest for a small profit."

Md Mohiuddin, a Rampura resident who bought a cow at the market, said he could buy cheaper than last year. Prices rose sharply at the last minute last year, so this time he bought a day early. "A cow I bought last year for Tk 2 lakh 20 thousand, I've now bought a better one for Tk 1 lakh 60 thousand."

He said it is hard to keep a cow at a Dhaka home for two or three days, but prices rise towards the end. With no markets at Aftabnagar and Meradia this year, and the Merul Badda market not very big and without many cows, there could even be a shortage of cattle after tomorrow afternoon. If supply falls short of buyers, prices could rise, he said.

Papia Akhter, who came from Banasree to buy at Merul Badda, said she was happy with the price she paid. She has been buying cows at the market herself for four years, previously at Meradia, and came here because there is no market at Meradia this year. After a long look around she bought a cow for Tk 1 lakh 30 thousand. A cow like this sold for over Tk 1.5 lakh last year, she said.

"The price is not the big thing; the sacrifice is for the pleasure of Allah," she said. "But we can't buy a very big cow just because we want to. I had set a budget of Tk 1 lakh 80 thousand and bought the cow I liked for less. Now I'll be happy if the sacrifice goes properly."

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