United News of Bangladesh

Medium-sized cattle are witnessing the highest demand at Dhaka’s makeshift markets set up ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, while large, high-priced cows are struggling to attract buyers, traders said. During visits to several cattle markets in the capital, animals priced between Tk 90,000 and Tk 1.8 lakh appeared to be the most sought-after by customers. Trader Alam Bepari brought six cows to the Merul Badda market after his usual selling spot in Aftabnagar did not host a market this year.  Four of his cows, all medium-sized, were sold for prices ranging from Tk 1.2 to Tk 1.62 lakh. “The remaining two are large cows. I’m asking Tk 5 lakh for each, but the highest offers so far are around Tk 2.3 lakh,” he said. “Last year, cows priced at Tk 5 lakh sold out just before Eid. Cows priced at Tk 10 to 15 lakh sold well in Aftabnagar. This year, I haven’t seen such buyers. No one is offering above Tk 2 lakh,” Alam added. At the Diabari market in Uttara, Monir Hossain from Manikganj brought four cows.  He managed to sell three, but the biggest one remains unsold. “I spent the most raising this cow. I’m asking Tk 7.5 lakh but am ready to settle for Tk 5 lakh. Buyers are only offering Tk 2.8 lakh,” he said. Trader Ledu Hawladar, also at Diabari, brought only medium-sized cows this year.  “Last time, I faced losses with large cows. This year, medium-sized cattle are selling well, and buyers are paying good prices,” he said. Buyers pointed to several reasons behind the drop in demand for large cattle. Abul Kalam, a customer, said, “People who buy cows for Tk 10 to 20 lakh are usually either big businessmen or those with unaccounted money. Even many wealthy people avoid spending such amounts. Instead, they prefer buying multiple cows within a Tk 5 lakh budget. A Tk 20 lakh cow is more about showing off than sacrifice.” Another buyer, Shahidul Islam, said past incidents have changed people’s attitudes.  “High-profile cattle from Sadik Agro and the goat controversy involving Matiur have made people cautious. If someone buys a Tk 20 lakh cow, questions are raised about the source of income. That’s a major concern in our country. Honest earners rarely think of spending Tk 30 lakh on one cow,” he said. Buyers also reported that no small cows are available below Tk 60,000. A visit to the markets confirmed the observation, with most small cows priced between Tk 65,000 and Tk 80,000. Traders attributed the high price of small cows to rising expenses.  “Even for smaller animals, rearing and transport costs are high. At minimum profit, the price stands at Tk 60,000 to Tk 70,000,” one trader said. Goats have emerged as a preferred choice for many middle- and lower-middle-income buyers. Most goats are selling between Tk 15,000 and Tk 30,000. In some areas, goats are being sold on street corners, where prices are slightly lower than at markets. Trader Safed Ali brought 20 goats from Gaibandha to the Bashundhara area. “I’m asking Tk 15,000 for goats yielding around 10 to 12 kg of meat. For larger ones yielding over 20 kg, the price ranges from Tk 25,000 to Tk 30,000,” he said. Moizuddin, another goat seller, said demand for goats is high this year. “People are buying more goats than cows. Many buyers are taking two goats at a time,” he said. Buyers said they are choosing goats to fulfil their religious obligation while staying within budget. Haji Ali, a resident of Shahjadpur, bought three goats from Bhatara. Last year, he offered a cow, but this time opted for goats.  “The cows priced at Tk 60,000 to Tk 65,000 are in poor condition. My brothers and I usually share the cost. We didn’t find any suitable cows, so we bought these three goats for Tk 45,000,” he said. This year, 21 authorised cattle markets have been set up under Dhaka’s two city corporations. Some larger markets also have buffaloes, sheep and dumba on sale, though these animals are drawing little interest for sacrificial purposes.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Mohammad Ejaz has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate alleged irregularities and procedural flaws in the leasing out process of the Gabtoli cattle market. The move follows multiple media reports highlighting corruption and procedural lapses in the lease and tender cancellation process. Transport for London to provide technical assistance to DNCC According to a DNCC press release issued on Sunday morning, the administrator directed that a probe committee be formed to conduct a thorough investigation. On April 30, a team from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), led by Assistant Director Rubel Hasan, conducted a drive in connection with the case. During the operation, the DNCC administrator instructed city corporation officials to extend full cooperation to the ACC team.  

The biggest cattle market in the southwest region, in “Sat mile” (7 Miles) in Sharsha Upazila of Jashore, is running without a lease. By depositing a small amount of money in the government treasury, a local group of BNP men took control of the market. The administration is ‘pretending’ not to know the matter. Jamal Uddin, a local resident, said that the lease of Sat Mile cattle market in Baganchra ended on April 13 this year. After that, Baganchra Union Awami League general secretary Elias Kabir Bakul and Kaiba Union Awami League president Hasan Firoz Tinku illegally ran the market without any lease. Traders accepted cards from them for Tk3000, but they used to collect extra Tk500 per cow from them. Tk1000-1200 taka per cow was collected from common buyers. However, since the cow market was not leased, the government pass price was Tk 400 to Tk 600. After the fall of the dictatorial government, those leaders of Awami League fled. Later, Sharsha upazila administration was managing the cattle market with the students for two days. The card holders were angry when each cow pass started at the same price from the card holders and ordinary buyers in the market. The upazila administration closed the market on August 20, fearing the deterioration of law and order if they started the movement. After a month, the market was reopened on September 20. Baganchra BNP leader Jahangir Hossain took over the cattle market. His team now earns Tk 12 lakh per cattle market (each day the market sits) but only Tk 2 lakh is deposited to the government Fund. According to sources, Jahangir Hossain, the joint convener of the local union BNP, got the unwritten responsibility of the cattle market after the change of political crises. He got 5 hats after taking charge. Markets are held here two days a week, Tuesday and Saturday. According to sources, each cattle market earns at least TK.12 lakh. But they deposit only Tk 90,000 to Tk 1.2 lakh deposited in the government fund. On April 23 this year Baganchra UP chairman Abdul Khalek made a written request to the Deputy Commissioner of Jashore alleging irregularities in Sat Mile's cattle market. In the application, he mentioned that on April 9, the Sharsha Upazila Officer formed a committee of 7 members to collect the toll of this market (Memorandum: 05.44.4190.002185.005.2024.348/09.04.24), which was chaired by Baganchra union Chairman. Sharsha Upazila Executive Officer (UNO)Nazir Ahmed said that the Sat mile Cattle market will be leased soon. The government is getting Tk 2 lakh per from the Cattle market without lease. Five percent of the money collected from the cattle market is spent on the development of the Union Parishad, and 15 percent of the cattle market.

With Eid-ul-Azha set to be celebrated on June 17, the cattle markets in Chandpur district are buzzing with traders and sellers, eagerly preparing for the festive occasion. The excitement is palpable as the district comes alive with the sights and sounds of bustling cattle markets. Despite a reported shortage of 20,000 cattle, the District Livestock Department assures that the supply will meet the demand. According to Dr. Jotirmoy Bhoumik, the district livestock officer, most of the demand for sacrificial animals has been fulfilled from local farms. A total of 61,489 sacrificial animals have been prepared across 3,269 cattle farms in the district, supplemented by cattle arriving from other parts of the country. SC upholds HC order disallowing cattle market at Aftabnagar Amidst this lively backdrop, two bulls have stolen the spotlight. In Nathora village, in Hajiganj upazila, "Sultan," a majestic black bull weighing 800 kg, has become the talk of the town. Reared by Ali Ahmed, a local school teacher, Sultan has drawn crowds from far and wide. Ali is asking for Tk 8 lakh for this impressive specimen. Equally captivating is "Raza," a black and white bull weighing 1,000 kg, from Rari Kandi village in North Matlab upazila. Owner Elias Dewan, a businessman, has nurtured Raza with a natural diet for several years. "It is impossible to bring Raza to the cattle market; no one can control him. I've been on guard all night. He was born on the farm about two and a half years ago from a Friesian breed cow," Elias shared. The daily feeding routine includes paddy husk, grass, pulse, maize flour, rice, oil cake, raw banana, carrot, apple, and other fruits, costing Tk 800 per day. Elias is also asking for Tk 8 lakh for Raza, who enjoys the comfort of two electric fans and twice-daily baths. In Faridganj upazila, "Zayed Khan," another massive bull weighing 25-30 maunds, has been raised by Amir Hossain. Priced at Tk 15 lakh, Zayed Khan has been a four-year labor of love for Amir, who, like Elias, prefers to keep his prized bull away from the crowded markets. No cattle market at Aftabnagar this year as HC stays leasing process  

Qurbani Eid 2023 festival is just around the corner. Like every year, Muslims in Bangladesh are eager to purchase sacrificial animals. However, visiting the animal haat (markets) physically to buy sacrificial animals during this sweltering summer heat can be a daunting task for many. Keeping all this in mind, different online platforms are once again starting online cattle markets.  4 Online Cattle Markets in Bangladesh for Eid-ul-Azha 2023 Purchasing sacrificial animals online has become more common nowadays, and fortunately, there are online Qurbani haat available in Bangladesh. Let’s explore these “digital haat” in detail. Bikroy Birat Haat Powered by Minister To celebrate the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, Bikroy.com, a renowned platform for buying and selling livestock, has joined hands with Minister Hi-Tech Park Ltd., a well-known manufacturer of electronics and home appliances, and OPPO Bangladesh, a global mobile manufacturing company. Together, they have organized a Qurbani campaign called ‘Bikroy Birat Haat Powered by Minister.’  Read more: Eid-ul-Azha 2023: Cumilla to have a surplus of 8,606 sacrificial animals, says livestock dept Just like every Eid-ul-Azha, Bikroy is once again offering a special collection of farm animals exclusively for its valued customers. The Bikroy website already showcases over 1,600 advertisements for livestock. To boost the popularity of Bikroy online haat, like every year, the company also launched the Birat Haat Contest. However, this year the contest will be different. Minister has taken on the role of Title Sponsor for the seventh consecutive time, while OPPO has joined as an Associate Partner for the first time. To participate in the Birat Haat contest, individuals are required to create a video following the theme song of Birat Haat along with its catchy dance step. The video should be shared on either one or all of the respective Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube profiles with the #BiratHaat2023 caption. Additionally, participants are also required to submit the video link to the Bikroy Blog site. Among the submitted videos, 18 lucky winners will be chosen based on their entertainment value and uniqueness. Read more: PM accepts cow as gift from couple for Eid-ul-Azha sacrifice For the Member contest, 15 winners will be selected from sellers across all categories who have the highest number of ads, the most views, and ad responses. All winners will be rewarded with exciting prizes such as refrigerators, LED TVs, smartphones, and more, with a total value of BDT 6 lakh, sponsored by Minister Hi-Tech Park Ltd. and OPPO Bangladesh. Bengal Meat Qurbani  On June 1 of this year, Bengal Meat announced the launch of the Qurbani portal for the 9th consecutive year. They sell organic grass-fed cattle, offering a unique and distinct option for customers. Customers have the convenience of ordering their preferred cattle through the online platform, and the cattle are then delivered while maintaining the necessary quality. Sadeeq Agro  Popular livestock farm Sadeeq Agro also arranged online cattle haat this year. The buyers can check their website to order any cattle they like. The site provides weight, and all other required information regarding the cattle. However, buyers can also visit their farm to see the cow and verify the weight.  Read more: Bhaijan now coming to Jashore Qurbani cows can be ordered up to 7 days before Eid-ul-Azha. However, the buyer will be required to pay 10% in advance. The cost of cows vary as per the weight. After the order, Sadeeq Agro will deliver according to the customer’s preferred date. The best thing about Sadeeq Agro is that they do not have any delivery charges. And they deliver anywhere in the Dhaka metropolitan area. Khaas Food This year, Khaas Food has launched an Online Qurbani Haat, aiming to provide a convenient platform for purchasing sacrificial animals. It features a diverse selection of cows sourced from numerous farms and breeds. Each cow comes with detailed information, including weight, age, height, feed, gender, and colour.  Additionally, Khaas Food ensures transparency and clarity regarding the health of the cattle by specifying the vaccines they have received. To secure a booking, customers are required to make an upfront payment of 50% via bKash or credit card, with the remaining amount due before delivery. Delivery of sacrificial animals will be completed in 2-4 days before Eid. BDT 3000 is applicable for delivery charges. In this case, the delivery will be done according to the order of booking and the customer’s demand. Final Words For the last few years, the trend of Online Qurbani Haat in Bangladesh has revolutionized the way people participate in the tradition of animal sacrifice. The digital platform provides convenience, accessibility, and a wide range of options for individuals looking to purchase sacrificial animals. However, it is upon the buyers, to check all the detailed information such as breed, weight, age, height, feed, gender, and colour before purchasing a cattle. Thus, buyers can choose the best sacrificial animals from the online cattle markets for the holy occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. Read more: With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, Khulna cattle famers distraught over price hike of fodder

Gabtoli Haat, one of the largest cattle markets of the country, has gained momentum with a day left for Eid-ul-Azha as a number of sacrificial animals have been brought to this market since Thursday noon. Traders were seen keeping the sacrificial cattle at suitable places at the haat in order to attract buyers.

A special cattle train from Chapainawabganj left for Dhaka Wednesday with 22 sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. District Livestock Officer Mostafizur Rahman inaugurated the service at Chapainawabganj Railway Station in the afternoon. Chapainawabganj Assistant Station Master Obaidullah said the train left for the capital with 18 cows and four goats. The cattle train will leave Chapainawabganj Station at 4.30pm and reach the capital by night every day. It will leave Tejgaon for Chapainawabganj at 5am. Read: Cattle traders robbed of Tk 30 lakh in Meghna The transportation cost for each cow has been fixed at Tk591.50 and each goat at Tk296. The train service will continue until July 8, Obaidullah added. The special service was launched on the Chapainawabganj-Rajshahi-Dhaka (Tejgaon) route on July 17 last year to transport sacrificial animals at a low cost considering the Covid-19 situation.

The government will not allow cattle markets on roads and highways ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha, said Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque."Markets of sacrificial animals on roads and highways and extortion from animals carrying trucks will not be allowed in any way," he said, while talking to reporters after a meeting on Sunday afternoon.The decision was taken at the Cabinet committee meeting on law and order situation held in the conference room of the Home Ministry.The minister said, "From now on, there will be a big signboard about the toll rate and the chart must be visible in the market."The mobile court will also monitor the market so that the cattle marketers can't take more toll, the minister added. Read: Restriction on motorcycle driving, ride-sharing for a week during Eid The minister also talked about the prices of rawhide. He said that in the last two years we have noticed that people are not getting a fair price for rawhide. As there is no processing system of rawhide in our country the middlemen enjoy all the benefits. Those who sell rawhide get very low prices, he added.However, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industries would meet soon and announce the rate of rawhide."Delegations of the Ministry of Industry and Environment will visit the leather industrial area of Savar in two days. So that the factories can run effectively."

In Thakurgaon, Barakat is the talk of the town ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Barakat is no ordinary bull, but a neutered male popular for its meat. The big bull weighs around 28 maund. Read: Samrat: The king bull of Chapainawabganj Its owner farmer Zillur Rahman  said that he reared the bull in his dairy in Dhumunia Shahpara village of Pirganj upazila of Thakurgaon along with twenty more cattles. "I spend around Tk 600 a day to feed this huge bull," he told UNB. Zillur  set up a small cattle farm in his homestead in 2011. “For more than four years, I have been rearing Barakat. The bull eats different types of foods including wheat bran, rice bran, maze, dried hay and raw grass," he said. "If any buyer from outside Rangpur division buys the bull, I will deliver it at my own cost, '' added Zillur. Read: Kalo Manik: The big bull that's ready to charge this Eid! Besides, the bull gets showers several times a day. Everyday locals throng Zillur’s dairy to catch a glimpse of the big bull. According to sources at the Thakurgan Livestock and Fisheries Department, enough sacrificial animals are available in the upazila this year. 

Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Samrat is hogging the limelight in Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj upazila. Samrat isn't any other ordinary bull, technically a steer, a neutered male popular for its meat – the cattle weighs around 40 maund. Zulfikar Ali, its owner, said he reared the bull in his dairy in Shahbazpur village of the district's Shibganj upazila that he started some five years ago. Everyday locals throng Zulfikar’s dairy to catch a glimpse of the big bull.