Trade at Khulna's cattle markets has yet to pick up. With more visitors than buyers, traders are sitting idle, though they hope sales will rise.

This was the picture on Thursday (5 June) at several markets in Khulna, including Joragate, Atharo Mile and Terokhada.

Buyer turnout at the markets was quite low. Many of those who went to buy sacrificial animals returned with the ones they liked, while others were bargaining and looking around, planning to buy if something suited them. Traders expect trade to pick up from the night.

Sellers said buyers may increase tonight and tomorrow (6 June). Small and medium cows are selling more this time. The markets have cows from Tk 50,000 up to Tk 1.5 to 2 lakh, and cattle sales have begun to rise compared with the previous two days.

Trader Moslem Uddin, who brought cows from Dumuria to Joragate market, said he brought 14 cows of various sizes and has sold four in two days. His cows are priced between Tk 80,000 and Tk 130,000.

Another seller, Panna Howlader, said sales of sacrificial animals had not yet started in full and could rise from tonight. Buyers are mostly looking for small and medium cows; big cows are being bargained over but sell less.

Khayer Molla, a seller at Atharo Mile market, said he brought 19 cows on Tuesday and had sold three by this afternoon. "Prices are much lower this time, but there are no buyers to match. Last time city people crowded this market, but this time there are hardly any townspeople."

Jobayer Hossain, who went to Joragate market, said he came after visiting the Dumuria and Atharo Mile markets. He is checking prices and looking for a medium-sized cow within his means, which he will buy if he likes one.

Another buyer, Forkan Ahmed, said he came at midday with time in hand and would buy today if the price suited him, though prices might fall on the last day of the market.

Kamrul Islam, who came to Atharo Mile market, said most cattle there are raised in households. He comes here every time to buy and will buy if he finds one he likes. Medium-sized cows are a little more expensive this time, he said.

Khulna district livestock officer Dr Md Shariful Islam said Khulna has 1 lakh 63 thousand 31 animals fit for sacrifice this year, against total district demand of 1 lakh 56 thousand 285. There is a surplus of 6,746 animals, and no shortage against demand.

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