Buyers have started turning up in greater numbers at the capital's cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Sales are under way, but demand is highest for small and medium-sized cows, especially those weighing three to five maunds. Reactions from buyers and sellers over prices are mixed.

Buyers complain that all kinds of cows are being priced comparatively high this year. Sellers say cow prices have risen because fodder and transport costs have gone up.

At the cattle market next to Kamalapur Balur Math in the capital, sales of medium cows have begun, but the market for big cows has not yet fully picked up. Buyers of big cows are nonetheless coming to look and check prices.

Rupchan, a wholesale trader from Rajshahi, said he had brought 15 cows of three and a half to four maunds this year and had sold three so far. "Demand for medium cows is high in the market now, and the prices are fairly good," he said.

Baharul Islam, a trader from Jhenaidah, said: "Buyers have started coming to the market and many are buying. Prices are not very good, but not bad either. We are getting middling prices compared with our costs. Buyer numbers are rising now, which is the positive side."

Hossain, who brought three big cows from Kushtia, said he had not been able to sell any so far. "Buyers are offering low prices now. Maybe they are checking the market. Big cows usually sell more a day or two before Eid, so sales of big cows may rise after the 26th. But with fodder prices high this year, I will face a loss if I don't get a good price," he said.

Buyers too expressed dissatisfaction with prices. Habibur Rahman, who came to see cows at the Brothers Club field next to Kamalapur Balur Math, said: "The traders are asking much higher prices this year, and they all talk about rising fodder prices. We came to buy two cows for two families. We have bought one medium cow and want to buy another, but wherever we go, prices are much higher than last time."

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