United News of Bangladesh

With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, Dhaka’s cattle markets are witnessing a growing rush of buyers and sellers as the capital prepares for one of Bangladesh’s largest seasonal economic activities driven by the Qurbani livestock trade. Traders said adequate sacrificial animals have already arrived in the city from different districts, while authorities and market management committees claim sufficient preparations have been taken to ensure smooth trading in the designated cattle markets across the capital. Visiting three of the city’s cattle markets (haats), UNB learned medium-sized cattle priced between Tk 1 lakh and Tk 2 lakh are currently dominating buyer demand, as many city residents are planning to sacrifice jointly with family members, neighbours or friends. Cattle from districts including Kushtia, Chuadanga, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Faridpur, Jashore and Dinajpur are being displayed at the city’s temporary and permanent cattle markets.

High hasil (service tax), security concerns and the hassle of transporting and keeping sacrificial animals are driving many buyers in Cumilla city to purchase cattle directly from farms ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Farm owners and buyers said the trend of purchasing sacrificial animals from farms instead of traditional cattle markets has been growing over the past few years. The Cumilla district administration, meanwhile, warned that no one will be allowed to collect hasil beyond the fixed rates and legal action will be taken against irregularities. A visit to Farid Agro Farm by Cumilla-Suagazi road at Kamalpur in Cumilla Sadar South upazila found cattle being raised in a clean environment with locally sourced feed. The farm currently has around 30 saleable cattle, all of local Shahiwal breed. Prices range from Tk 3 lakh to Tk 10 lakh. The farm’s largest bull, named “Rajababu,” weighs over 1,000 kg and has been priced at Tk 10 lakh. Farm authorities said easy transportation, hygienic conditions and doorstep delivery services are attracting buyers. Khaled Monsur Imon, manager of Farid Agro Farm, said many city residents are opting for farms due to the difficulties keeping and feeding cattle at home. “Several cattle have already been sold. Some buyers will receive delivery a day before Eid, while others will get their animals on Eid day,” he said. Mohammad Ziaul Haque Litu, director of JH Agro Park at Dhanuakhola under Kalirbazar union of Sadar upazila, said cattle sales from his farm have increased compared to last year. “The main reasons are the hassle of keeping cattle and buyers’ desire for healthy animals,” he said. Ahmed Shoaib Sohel, secretary of Cumilla Club, who bought a cow from a farm, said purchasing cattle from markets requires time and effort, while there are also concerns over animal health and accommodation. “So, I bought a sacrificial animal in advance from a farm. They will deliver it to my house on Eid morning,” he said. Additional District Livestock Officer Dr Mohammad Ismail Hossain said medical teams are working to prevent the sale of sick animals in cattle markets. “This year, 85 medical teams will work at more than 400 cattle markets across the district,” he said, adding that many buyers are now preferring farms to avoid crowds and inconvenience. Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Reza Hasan said authorities are working to ensure security at cattle markets and prevent circulation of counterfeit currency. He said cattle markets have also been barred from operating on school and college grounds and along highways. “No one will be allowed to collect hasil beyond the approved rates. Legal action will be taken against any irregularities,” the DC added.  

Cattle markets in Chandpur are bustling with activity ahead of Eid-ul-Azha as farmers prepare more than 66,000 sacrificial animals for sale, hoping to secure fair prices during the peak trading season. Despite strong preparations, many farmers remain concerned about market volatility and the possible influx of cattle from a neighboring country, which they fear could affect prices. According to the Department of Livestock Services, Chandpur district currently has 66,098 sacrificial animals ready for sale against an estimated demand of around 75,000, leaving a shortfall of about 9,000animals. Officials, however, said the gap would likely be filled by small-scale seasonal traders and farmers from remote char areas and neighboring districts. District Livestock Officer Dr Jyotirmoy Bhowmik said there would be no shortage of sacrificial animals this year. “We have sufficient local production and the remaining demand will be met by marginal farmers and seasonal traders. We expect a smooth supply during Eid,” he told UNB. The ready animals include 27,346 bulls, 8,366 oxen, 10,571 cows, 23 buffaloes, 19,346 goats and 446 sheep. Visits to major cattle markets including Sofarmali, Bagadi Chourasta, Puranbazar and Bakila in Haziganj revealed that cattle trade have already gained momentum. Buyers said cattle prices this year are slightly higher than last year. “Prices have increased compared to previous years, especially for healthy local bulls,” said Abu Sayeed, a cattle buyer in Chandpur town. Traders were seen bringing truckloads of cattle from Faridpur and northern districts to local markets, although buyers appeared to prefer locally raised cattle. According to livestock officials, around 4,155 entrepreneurs — mostly young farmers — are involved in raising sacrificial animals across Chandpur’s eight upazilas. Nearly 300 temporary and permanent cattle markets have been set up in the district ahead of Eid. Many farmers said they purchased young bulls several months ago and raised them using locally produced feed such as grass, straw, oil cake and bran. While small and medium-sized cattle are mainly sold in local markets, larger bulls are increasingly marketed online. During a visit at several farms, workers were seen caring for cattle that are expected to be sold within the next week. Despite their preparations, many farmers expressed anxiety over market prices. “If Indian cattle do not enter the market in large numbers, we hope to get good prices this year,” said farmer Khaled Khan from Nanupur village in Sadar upazila. Khaled, who has been involved in cattle farming for two decades, said he has prepared several bulls for Eid, with prices ranging between Tk 90,000 and Tk 1.2 lakh. Another farmer, Ahmed Ali from Ghashipur village, said he has 32 cattle in his farm including seven bulls raised entirely on local feed. Some farmers are targeting high-end buyers with premium bulls. Nargis Begum of Hamankardi village in Maishadi union has prepared three large bulls aged between three and five years. Among them is a bull named “Raja Babu,” for which she is seeking Tk 12 lakh. Another bull, “Hamankardi King,” is priced at Tk 10 lakh, while the smallest one is expected to sell for around Tk 5 lakh. Farm worker Md Moslem said the animals were raised naturally without artificial fattening methods. “We fed them local grass, straw and bran. We are taking special care of them every day,” he said. Many buyers expressed more interest in locally farmed cattle, citing concerns about chemical fattening practices sometimes used by outside traders. “People in the city now prefer cattle raised by local farmers because they trust the quality more,” said Abdul Barek, a resident of Chandpur town. To ensure smooth trading during Eid, the livestock department officials said mobile teams, including veterinary surgeons, will monitor cattle markets, resolve disputes and check counterfeit currency duringtransactions.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all commercial banks to set up dedicated counterfeit currency detection booths at cattle markets across the country to ensure the security of large-scale cash transactions during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. The central bank issued a circular in this regard recently asking banks to deploy note-counting and currency authentication machines to prevent the circulation of fake notes during the peak sacrificial animal trading period. According to the directive, each commercial bank must appoint a focal coordinating officer for the operation and submit their names, designations and contact details to Bangladesh Bank by May 17. For cattle markets in Dhaka North and South City Corporations, specific banks have been assigned individual markets to operate booths until the night before Eid. Outside Dhaka, Bangladesh Bank’s regional offices will coordinate the arrangement, while Sonali Bank will lead coordination in districts where the central bank has no branch presence. The circular also instructed that the booths must provide uninterrupted service throughout the trading period up to Eid night. Banks have been asked to maintain close coordination with local administrations, city corporations, municipalities and law enforcement agencies to ensure smooth operations and security. In Dhaka North, banks including Islami Bank, Shimanto Bank, AB Bank, National Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Eastern Bank, IFIC Bank, Meghna Bank, United Commercial Bank, City Bank, Agrani Bank, BRAC Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Bank Asia, Jamuna Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank and BASIC Bank have been assigned responsibilities. In Dhaka South, 19 banksincluding Premier Bank, Uttara Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Dhaka Bank, Rupali Bank, Janata Bank, One Bank, Modhumoti Bank, Community Bank, Pubali Bank, Mercantile Bank, NCC Bank and Sonali Bank—have been deployed to operate detection booths across 13 designated cattle markets. Central bank officials said the initiative is aimed at safeguarding financial transactions during the festive season and ensuring confidence among buyers and sellers in a cash-intensive market.  

Acting Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md Sarwar on Wednesday said law enforcement agencies have taken coordinated steps to prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency at cattle markets in the capital during Eid-ul-Azha. “Fake currency detection machines will be installed at every cattle market in the capital to check the circulation of counterfeit notes as part of the initiative,” he said. The acting DMP chief was talking to reporters after inspecting the progress of development work at the Gabtoli Cattle Market and construction of a new road leading to the Gabtoli Bus Terminal. He also said steps have also planned to ensure smooth traffic management around the Gabtoli Cattle Market. Sarwar said intelligence surveillance will be strengthened at the cattle markets to check the circulation of fake currency. Members of the Detective Branch of police and other intelligence agencies will remain active to identify and stop the sources of counterfeit currency in advance and bring those involved to justice, he said. About the possible risk of conflicts or violence surrounding cattle markets, the acing DMP Commissioner said law enforcement agencies remain on alert. “Coordination with relevant government bodies and city corporations is being ensured for overall management.” Citing to traffic management as the biggest challenge, he said as the cattle market and the bus terminal are open round the clock, it creates pressure in the Gabtoli area. “To address this, several measures, including construction of a new road, have been taken to maintain normal traffic flow in the area,” he added. Sarwar also informed that designated loading and unloading points will be set up to ensure discipline in transporting cattle to help ease traffic congestion. A detailed management plan centring on the Gabtoli Cattle Market will be published soon, he said.  

With Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner, cattle markets across Feni are bustling with life.  From dusty village corners to pop-up haats crowding urban alleys, the district is abuzz with a familiar blend of festivity, negotiation, and expectation—each hoofbeat echoing the spirit of sacrifice and tradition. According to district administration, this year, 112 markets have been set up across Feni’s six upazilas.  Trading officially began on May 30, and since then, the rush of buyers and sellers has only grown stronger.  Dhaka's cattle markets take shape as Eid-ul-Azha nears Rows of cows, goats, sheep, and even buffalo are lined up, their handlers negotiating prices and the rhythmic hum of market chatter. But while supply is abundant, buyers and sellers are finding themselves on opposite ends of the price debate. Price Dilemma “The cost of raising cattle has gone up a lot this year,” said Fazlul Haque, a seasoned cattle farmer from Fulgazi, gently patting a sturdy brown cow. “We’ve spent more on feed, medicine, and labour. So naturally, we can’t afford to sell at lower rates.” He isn’t alone. Farmers across the district echo the same concern. With feed prices shooting up and general inflation pressing hard, most say they’ve had to adjust their prices accordingly. Eid-ul-Azha: Cattle markets gain momentum in Madaripur On the other side of the negotiation table, buyers like Abdul Mannan said prices have climbed well above expectations.  “A medium-sized cow is selling for Tk 80,000 to Tk 1.2 lakh,” he said while scanning a group of animals at a haat in Sonagazi. “That’s 15 to 20 per cent more than last year. A small increase is fine, but this feels a bit too steep.” Yet, others concede the quality of the animals this year is commendable. “The locally-reared cows are strong and healthy,” said another buyer. “Given that, the prices might actually be fair.” Stronger Supply  Than  Demand  According to the District Livestock Office, Feni is more than prepared to meet local demand. The requirement this year stands at 82,336 sacrificial animals, while 87,227 are already ready for sale. Of these, 69,360 are cows, 1,667 buffalo, 13,243 goats, and 3,147 sheep. The average price of each cow is between Tk 80,000 and 5,00,000 and the price of a goat is between Tk 15,000 and 40,000. Accordingly, about Tk 1,500 crore of livestock can be sold at the greater Cumilla division market this time, according to officials’ forecast. District Livestock Officer Md Mozammel Haque said, "There is no fear of a shortage of sacrificial animals in Feni this time. Apart from the at least 5,000 registered farmers in the district, many are privately raising one or more sacrificial animals." The surplus isn’t new. Last year, Feni also saw supply outpace demand, even amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty and the lingering effects of natural disasters. Last year, the demand for sacrificial animals in the district was 87,200 while, 90,250 cattle were raised commercially and domestically. Though devastating floods wreaked havoc across all six upazilas of Feni. A total of 35 unions were affected, resulting in the death of nearly 39,000 cows and goats and damage worth over Tk 396 crore to the district’s livestock and poultry sector, according to reports. Push for Better  Practices As Eid draws nearer, the cattle markets are not only growing busier, they’re also becoming more organised. Farms like Madina Agro are now offering buyers the option to purchase livestock early and house them until sacrifice day. “Customers can even use the live-weight system to determine the animal’s worth,” said Mahmudul Hasan Sabbir, the farm’s manager. Meanwhile, district authorities have taken steps to ensure cleanliness. Each market has designated waste dumping areas, mobile cleaning teams, and a 24-hour cleanup mandate once the haats close.  “Protecting the environment is a key priority,” said Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam. “We won’t allow Eid festivities to result in public nuisance.” The Department of Livestock is also providing training for both professional and seasonal butchers, along with awareness programmes on hide preservation and livestock handling. Keeping Trouble at Bay  Security is another major focus this year. From petty theft to extortion, cattle markets are known hotspots for crime. But Feni’s police say they’re prepared. “Special teams are already active to prevent extortion, snatching, and pickpocketing,” said Feni’s Superintendent of Police Habibur Rahman. “We’re also monitoring rumours and other attempts to create artificial crises.” To further safeguard the market ecosystem, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has stepped up vigilance along the frontier to prevent illegal cross-border cattle smuggling.  “In March and April, a total of 123 Indian cows were seized from different parts of Feni’s border,” said Lt Col Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain of BGB 4 Battalion. “This year, we are determined to keep the markets clean and fair.” Despite higher prices and recent hardships, the spirit of Eid-ul-Azha in Feni remains undeterred. The markets are full, the cows are healthy, and the hope among farmers is palpable. “This festival is about sacrifice,” said farmer Fazlul Haque. “And for us, it’s also about resilience. We’ve given everything to raise these animals. Now, we just hope people see the value in that.” As the district gears up for the final days before Eid, all eyes remain on the haats—where tradition, livelihood, and faith come together in a spectacle unique to the season. #With additional inputs from Julfekar Dehan

With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, Bangladesh has announced complete self-sufficiency in sacrificial cattle production, eliminating the need for imports from neighbouring countries, including India and Myanmar. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter told reporters on May 4 that over 1.24 crore sacrificial animals will be available for the religious festival this year—more than enough to meet domestic demand, with an estimated surplus of 20 lakh animals.  Don't care about death, nothing to lose: Adviser Asif  “There is no need to import sacrificial animals,” she said, attributing the success to sustained efforts by the government and dedication from local farmers.  “We have made great progress in strengthening the livestock sector,” she said.  According to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Bangladesh produced more than 9.3 million tonnes of meat in the 2022–23 fiscal year, surpassing the national demand of 7.5 million tonnes. The push towards self-reliance intensified after India banned cattle exports in 2014. In response, Bangladeshi farmers expanded domestic production and the government imposed a formal ban on cattle imports from India in 2019. Since then, the number of cattle farmers has more than doubled.  Officials said educated youths have also entered the sector, adopting modern breeding techniques such as artificial insemination to improve livestock quality and productivity.  Rains, thunder showers with lightning likely in all divisions in next 24hr: BMD Declining Dependence on Imports For decades, Bangladesh relied heavily on cattle brought in from India—often through informal channels. From 1975 to 2000, an estimated 2 million animals were smuggled in annually. In 2012, around 2.6 million cattle entered from India, but that figure dropped sharply to just 92,000 by 2019. The downward trend continued, with only 86,000 kg of cattle imported in 2022, down from 26.6 million kg in 2015. The government’s Tk 310 million “Beef Cattle Development” project, implemented between 2013 and 2018, further boosted domestic capacity through scientific breeding initiatives.  But, efforts to commercialise Brahma cattle have stalled due to legal hurdles. Now, the government is considering a permanent ban on cattle imports, citing the risk of transboundary diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants (PPR).  Officials warn that fresh imports could damage the domestic industry and pose public health risks. Farmers Oppose Imports Amid Price Concerns Despite the production surplus, meat prices remain high—reportedly around Tk 800 per kg in Dhaka markets—prompting some traders and consumers to call for temporary imports to control prices. Last year, the government even explored the possibility of importing cattle from Brazil, following a proposal by then-State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu during a meeting with Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. But, farmers strongly opposed the move, urging the government instead to address rising input costs, particularly for cattle feed, which have been driven up by inflation and foreign exchange rates. The Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) has reiterated its stance against imports.  “We have enough livestock,” a BDFA spokesperson said. “What we need is market regulation and support to reduce fodder costs.” Strict Border Control, Logistics and Hygiene Measures Authorities have stepped up border control measures to prevent illegal cattle entry.  Law enforcement agencies, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and Coast Guard, began coordinated operations along border areas from May 4. To ensure smooth transportation of sacrificial animals, special livestock trains will operate from the northern districts to Dhaka and Chattogram. In the capital, 22 cattle markets will be established ahead of Eid—nine under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), 11 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), and two permanent markets at Gabtoli and Sarulia. The government has also prioritised hygiene and veterinary services.  Nineteen cattle markets in Dhaka will have on-site veterinary teams, while 36,577 butchers—both professional and non-professional—have received training on hygienic slaughtering and skinning.  Authorities are promoting mechanised slaughter and encouraging compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 2019.  Silent Walls, Absent Healers: 46 health centres deserted in Sunamganj Efforts are also underway to ensure efficient waste management during the festival, with city corporations tasked to maintain cleanliness in and around cattle markets. As the country prepares for Eid-ul-Azha, the shift from import reliance to domestic strength is being hailed by stakeholders as a major achievement—one that reflects years of investment and adaptation by both the government and the people.  

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akter on Friday said that the Department of Livestock will deploy mobile veterinary clinics at the district level in cattle markets during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. “Veterinary surgeons will be present there to provide treatment,” said the adviser at a meeting with divisional fisheries and livestock officials at Rajshahi. She also stressed the need for limited medical services for humans in these markets. “We must ensure that those involved in the buying and selling of cattle and goats can travel safely,” she said. Railway urges not to setup cattle markets near tracks without prior approval Addressing concerns over illegal cross-border cattle smuggling, Farida said the ministry has already held a meeting to tighten vigilance. “Some dishonest traders will try to bring in foreign products [cattle]. This must be stopped,” she warned. She added that the home ministry has directed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and River Police to strictly monitor the borders during the Eid season. Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Ejaz, Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) Director General Faruk Wasif, Rajshahi Divisional Livestock Department Director Ananda Kumar Adhikari, Rajshahi Divisional Fisheries Department Director Md. Saifuddin Yahia, and other officials at various levels were present.

The Bangladesh Railway authorities urged all concerned to refrain from setting up cattle markets on or near railway tracks, land without prior approval ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. In a letter sent to the deputy commissioners of districts where such temporary markets are likely to be set up, the Railways ministry requested necessary steps to prevent unauthorised use of railway property, according to a press release issued on Friday. The letter said  cattle markets are often set up adjacent to railway tracks or on railway-owned land without adequate safety measures. This poses serious risks to public safety and train operations, potentially disrupting railway schedules during the Eid rush — an outcome the authorities emphasised must be avoided. The districts identified as having a higher likelihood of such temporary cattle markets include Moulvibazar, Bogura, Dinajpur, Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Kushtia and Chuadanga. The letter further stated that the government is committed to protecting public property and ensuring safety. DNCC to collaborate with volunteers for conservation, greening of 33 canals in Dhaka It reiterated the government's firm stance against unauthorised cattle markets on or near railway land. It said if local circumstances necessitate setting up such markets near railway lines, several conditions must be strictly adhered to, said the release. Prior approval from the railway authorities is mandatory, lessees managing the markets must erect strong fencing using bamboo or other suitable materials at a safe distance from the railway tracks and this fencing must be installed in a manner that ensures unhindered train movement and public safety. Besides, local police and railway officials must coordinate under the supervision of the district administration to ensure safe train operations and the smooth movement of the public.

With barely three-four days left for Eid-ul-Azha, cattle farmer Azizul Haque is a bit worried. The reason -- he has not been able to fatten naturally the four bulls he has been rearing since last October. Like him, many small-time farmers in Bangladesh have been struggling to feed their cattle properly since March 2022 as retail inflation has taken a toll on fodder. And most of them are yet to fix a good asking price for the sacrificial animals. These farmers say that the prices of staple cattle feeds such as wheat bran, rice bran, oil cake, maize, Indian peas and molasses have all increased two to three-fold of late. Read: Huge crowd at Chuadanga cattle markets; Sales still low "I may not be able to cash on the growing demand for meat this Eid. This is because I could not spend much on fodder to naturally fatten my bulls ahead of Eid. Retail inflation is really pinching," says Azizul. Take for instance, maize. Its price has doubled in the past one year -- from Tk 17-18 per kg in 2021 to Tk 33-34 per kg this year. Similarly, wheat bran now costs Tk 60 a kg, up by 100% from last year's price. Khail (oil cake) was available for Tk 32 a kg and Indian peas for Tk 34-36 per kg in 2021. This year, Khail is being sold at Tk 50 per kg and Indian pea at Tk 55-60 per kg.