Dhaka Cattle Prices Drop Sharply Before Eid-ul-Azha

Prices of sacrificial cattle in Dhaka’s temporary markets plunged by more than 50 percent on the final trading day before Eid-ul-Azha, leaving traders facing steep losses while buyers rushed to take advantage of lower prices. However, persistent rain and rising transport costs have dampened the festive spirit.

A visit to several cattle markets across the capital on Wednesday showed a sharp fall in prices for medium and large cattle, while rates for smaller animals remained relatively stable.

At the Notunbazar 100-Feet cattle market, trader Aynal, who brought 19 cattle from Chuadanga, said animals he had hoped to sell for Tk 2.5 lakh were now attracting offers between Tk 1.2 lakh and Tk 1.5 lakh.

“If I sell at these prices, I will suffer heavy losses,” he said, adding that only seven of his cattle had been sold.

Another trader, Shahin from Jamalpur, reported similar difficulties. Of the seven cattle he brought to Dhaka, only three had been sold. He said a cow previously offered at Tk 1.8 lakh was now receiving bids of just Tk 1.2 lakh, while another valued at Tk 3 lakh was drawing offers of around Tk 1.5 lakh.

At the Aftabnagar cattle market, buyers said demand for premium cattle had dropped significantly. Raisu, a buyer, said few customers were willing to spend more than Tk 5 lakh.

“Sellers asking Tk 8 lakh to Tk 10 lakh are receiving offers as low as Tk 3 lakh to Tk 3.5 lakh,” he said. “Many traders with expensive cattle may have to return home unsold.”

At the Meradiya market, Monsur, who supervises the haseel (market transaction fee) booth, confirmed the steep decline in prices.

“Cattle that sold for Tk 1.5 lakh earlier are now being traded for Tk 70,000 to Tk 80,000,” he said, noting that transactions were lower than during the previous Eid season.

Rain, Rising Costs Deepen Market Strain

Both traders and buyers blamed days of continuous rainfall for disrupting market activity. Waterlogging at several cattle markets, coupled with inadequate drainage systems, made buying and selling increasingly difficult.

At the Tejgaon cattle market, buyer Sakibul Alam said bad weather forced him to rent a pickup truck at nearly double the usual fare.

“Cattle prices have fallen, but transport and other expenses have increased,” he said.

Traders also complained about rising production and transportation costs. Suleman, a trader from Jamalpur selling cattle at Aftabnagar, said higher fodder prices had already reduced profit margins before reaching Dhaka.

“We raise cattle for Eid hoping to earn extra income, but at these prices, selling to butchers by weight would be more profitable,” he said.

Buyers also pointed to the five percent haseel charge as an additional burden. Saidul Islam, a buyer at Meradiya market, said the fee — roughly Tk 10,000 on a Tk 2 lakh purchase — further influenced bargaining and final prices.

Traders urged market authorities to improve drainage systems and facilities at cattle markets in future years, warning that poor infrastructure and unpredictable weather are making Eid cattle trading increasingly difficult for farmers and sellers.