Permanent and temporary sacrificial animal markets have been set up at 28 places in the four upazilas of Jhalakathi for Eid-ul-Azha. The markets are busy with cattle brought by local farmers and by middlemen (foria) from far away. But with only three days left before Eid, few cattle are being sold, and sellers and market lessees are worried by the lack of buyers.

According to the Jhalakathi deputy commissioner's office, Sadar upazila has 16 markets, and four new temporary markets have been approved. Nalchity upazila has 18 markets, of which three temporary ones have been approved. Rajapur upazila has 16, of which five temporary markets have been approved, and Kathalia upazila has 14, of which two temporary markets have been approved.

The district livestock office said mobile teams were at every market to treat animals: four in Sadar upazila, four in Nalchity, two in Rajapur and three in Kathalia.

A tour of markets across the district found large numbers of cattle arriving but few buyers. Sellers are also unable to part with their cattle because bargaining is not reaching a price they will accept. Even as Eid approaches, sales remain low.

Md Sarowar Hossain of Kirtipasha village in Sadar upazila said: "I started a farm with six cattle. I was able to fatten them well with local, natural feed. But the market still hasn't picked up. I haven't been able to sell a single cow because I'm not getting the right price."

Town trader Anichur Rahman said that as people become more business-minded, they fill in the open spaces in front of their homes. With no room in front of the house, most people do not want to buy their animal early.

A man who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Qurbani mood usually begins some days in advance every year, but this year that mood is missing because the country's situation is not good.

Torab Ali brought a cow to the traditional Lebbunia market in Rajapur upazila. He walked three kilometres to the market but could not sell it because buyers offered too little. Several others, including Siddique Hossain, Abul Mia and Ansar Uddin, said the same.

Md Mohsin Hossain, lessee of the Lebbunia market, said the market sits on Tuesdays and Fridays. On Tuesday people brought cattle to sell but there were no buyers. Sellers came with more than 400 cattle, but the number of buyers was very small and sales were very low.

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