Sacrificial animal markets in the capital have got busy. Cattle are selling well, but the goat trade has yet to pick up, and those who brought goats to the markets fear they will make a loss.

A visit to Shahjahanpur market on Saturday found goats of various sizes in a colony on the west side of the market. Goat sales are very low compared with cattle. Prices and demand are both lower than in other years, and buyers admitted as much.

Saiful Islam brought 160 goats to the market from Darshana in Chuadanga, but only a few have sold, and he said he has not got comparatively good prices. "Vehicle hire is higher than in other years, and goats are expensive back home too. I bought at a high price and am selling here at a low price. I may not make a loss, but I won't make a profit," he told Jago News.

Hasib, a goat seller from Jamalpur, told Jago News: "We collect goats from our area and bring them to the market hoping for a profit. But this time buyers don't even want to make an offer, and those who come offer very little. Still, I am hopeful and will wait until the last moment."

This year 20 sacrificial animal markets have been set up in the Dhaka North and South city areas: 11 in the south city, including the permanent Saruliya market, and nine in the north city, including the permanent market at Gabtali.

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