Retired government employee Miftah Uddin came from Pallabi DOHS to Kalshi cattle market and looked at three cows. But after hearing the sellers' prices he did not make a counter-offer and simply left. He says sellers are asking Tk 40,000-50,000 more than they should per cow. "If it were close, you could say something. But it is not possible to buy a cow at such prices."

With only one day left before Eid-ul-Azha, buyers were coming to the Kalshi market in Pallabi despite bad weather, as seen on Thursday, 5 June.

Small and medium cows are in demand, so prices are high and sellers are not coming down. Most sellers have brought five to seven cows and expect demand and prices to rise further at the last moment. Buyers are also waiting for the last moment, thinking prices may fall on Friday.

In the afternoon there were relatively few cows at the market, and most of the tethering posts were empty. Buyers were seen bargaining and going home empty-handed.

Buyers say there are few cows and sellers are using this to ask for more, so they are heading to other markets. Sellers say buyers are offering Tk 20,000-30,000 less per cow.

The fee collection booth was also quiet, and few trucks were bringing cattle to the market.

Shamsul Haque has brought five medium-sized cows from Palash upazila in Narsingdi. He is asking between Tk 1 lakh 50 thousand and Tk 1 lakh 70 thousand each, depending on size, and says the cows weigh 5 to 7 maunds. "I came this morning. I have not got the price I hoped for, so I cannot sell. If I don't get a good price, I will take the cows back," he told Jago News.

University student Ali Hasan, who came with two friends, said: "At the prices they are quoting, there is no room to make an offer. They are asking over Tk 1 lakh 50 thousand for a medium cow. Prices are Tk 20,000-30,000 higher than last time."

A buyer named Muslim said: "There are very few cows. Gabtoli and Stand Housing are nearby and have cows. I will go there. I came here to check the market."

Seller Ruhul Amin from Sherpur said buyers were not offering enough: "They are offering Tk 20,000-30,000 less. So I have not sold a single one of my six cows." Pointing to a red local cow, he said it would give 5-6 maunds of meat. "I am asking Tk 1 lakh 50 thousand. Buyers are offering Tk 1 lakh."

A seller named Shafiqul said: "I brought one cow. It will give about 3 maunds of meat, and I am asking Tk 1 lakh 20 thousand. Buyers are not offering more than Tk 80,000-85,000."

Shahidul from Mymensingh brought three cows and has sold two. He is asking Tk 1 lakh 70 thousand for the third, while buyers have offered up to Tk 1 lakh 55 thousand. He says it will give more than 7 maunds of meat. "I sold two cows at good prices. There are somewhat fewer cows at this market. More will come tonight, and the market will be busy tomorrow," he said.

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