Sacrificial animal markets in Jashore have got busy. Trading picked up from Friday, 14 June, but traders and farmers expect the most sales on Saturday and Sunday.

Sellers say demand at the markets is highest for small and medium cattle, but they are not getting prices to match their costs. Buyers say cattle are expensive this year.

According to the District Livestock Office, 1,26,851 animals are ready for sacrifice in Jashore, worth about Tk 600 crore, against demand for 96,718 animals in the district. That leaves a surplus of more than 30,000 animals.

At Rupdia, Rajarhat, Satmail and other markets in Jashore, traders and farmers have begun bringing in cattle of different breeds and sizes, and trading starts before the afternoon is out. Big cattle are kept in special areas, and traders keep saline and cold water on hand in case of emergencies. Markets have adequate lighting because trading will continue until the night before Eid.

Local, Sahiwal, Friesian and other breeds of cattle are on sale alongside goats of various sizes, and sheep are also available. The markets fill up with buyers and sellers by early afternoon. Farmers said demand for small and medium cattle is strong this Eid, while demand for big cattle is comparatively low.

Cattle farmer Zahidul Islam said there are plenty of cattle at the market, but sales are not keeping pace. One of his cattle, weighing more than six maunds, had been offered Tk 1,85,000 at home, but he had to sell it at the market for Tk 5,000 less. He said medium and small cattle are selling more.

Jahangir Hossain bought a bull of about four maunds for Tk 1,35,000. "I like the animal, but the price seems a bit high," he told Jago News.

Cattle trader Jamir Uddin said he brought two cattle of five maunds each and was asking Tk 1,60,000 apiece, but buyers would not go above Tk 1,40,000. He said the cost of raising cattle was higher this year, so he was struggling even to recover his capital.

Saddam Munshi brought three bulls named 'Jubaraj', 'Ranga' and 'Sada Pahar'. He sold the big bull 'Ranga' for Tk 2,74,000 during the day. He is asking Tk 8 lakh for Jubaraj, but the highest offer so far is Tk 3.5 lakh. He is asking Tk 7 lakh for Sada Pahar but has found no buyer.

Trader Royijul Islam brought two cattle from Khalishpur and sold one for Tk 1,44,000. He said cattle of about five maunds are most in demand this year, particularly those priced between Tk 1 lakh and Tk 1.6 lakh.

Market authorities said parking, counterfeit-note detection machines and a free veterinary camp have been arranged at the markets. Ismail Hossain, from the market owners' side, said most sacrificial animals will arrive at the last market day, when sales will also be highest, though trading has already begun.

District Livestock Officer Dr Rashedul Haque said adequate veterinary medical teams are working at the markets.

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