Sacrificial animals have started arriving at markets in the capital ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, bringing more buyers and visitors. Although nothing is being sold yet, buyers are examining the cattle. Some markets are still making last-minute preparations. This was the picture at the Shahjahanpur and Meradia cattle markets on Sunday, 9 June.
So far 25 vehicle-loads of cattle have arrived at the Shahjahanpur Moitri Sangha market from various parts of the country. Borhan, a trader from Jamalpur, told Jagonews24: "We brought our cattle to the market early. We have a few hundred with us. We are holding the good spots in the market, and when the rest of our cattle come they will be kept here too."
Asked whether anything had sold, Amjad, a trader from Kushtia, told Jagonews24: "Not yet. Buyers are checking the market."
Traders expect higher prices
Motiar, who has brought cattle from Meherpur to Meradia market, told Jagonews24: "Cattle prices will be higher this time. Feed has been expensive since the start of the year. We also have costs, and the fare for bringing cattle is high. All in all, we will have to ask a little more."
Asked why he had come early when nothing was selling, Shafiq, a trader from Kushtia, told Jagonews24: "We could have gone to the main market two days before. But I brought some cattle early to hold a good spot where more buyers will come. Others from my area will come too, and we are keeping space for them."
Preparations are still going on at the markets. The work is not complete, and no toll (hasil) booth was yet to be seen.
Babla, who guards the cattle trucks at Shahjahanpur market, told Jagonews24: "Work is going on day and night. Since cattle will come to the main market two days before Eid, we are trying to finish before then."
This year 20 sacrificial animal markets are being held in the Dhaka North and South city areas: 11 in the south including the permanent Sarulia market, and nine in the north including the permanent Gabtali market. Security forces were seen patrolling the markets.
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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