Traders and customers in cattle markets in Dhaka seem to have adopted a cautious wait-and-watch policy two days ahead of Eid even as rain played spoilsport.
Most of the customers in these markets on Wednesday were seen only enquiring about the prices without actually making any purchase in the hope that price might fall on the penultimate day.
They say the prices this time are much higher than the previous year.
The traders, however, attribute this to overall increase in rearing cost of a cow.
Zafar Ahmed and his nephew Rahem Uddin came from Mirpur with 12 cows to Gabtoli cattle market on Saturday.
So far he could sell only three cows at Tk 900,000, Tk 350,000 and Tk 200,000.
This time they could sell the cows at higher prices than the last year, but Zafar was not happy with the returns.
“We are unable to manage with this price. The cost of cattle feed has increased tremendously. I have sold three cows at loss fearing that otherwise I won’t be able to sell any,” he claimed.
He is now asking Tk 400,000 for the biggest cow in his herd.
“I purchased this cow for Tk 150,000 last year. I spent another around Tk 100,000 in feeding it. Then there was labour cost. Now how do I make profit if it is not sold for Tk 400,000,” he said.
Sagir Hossain of Sirajganj came to this market with five cows.
“People are not even willing to pay Tk 70-80,000 for my cows. They are not ready to pay more than Tk 40,000. The number of customers is also few,” he said.
However, most traders are not yet giving up hope. They say if there is no supply of cattle from India, then ultimately they will be able to make good profit.
Mohiuddin, who came from Harinarayanpur in Kushtia, said they were not yet going for distress sale.
A businessman from Mirpur, Rafikul Islam, after purchasing a cow for Tk 120,000 from Gabtoli market, told bdnews24.com that he made the purchase as he did not want to come to the market again on another day wading through the mud.
Moreover, it was also not possible for him to come to the market every day leaving behind his own business, he added.
Traders say neither the government nor the lessee pay any attention to their plight.
Another trader Meshkat Hossain said the situation was like hell.
No one was found at the lessee’s office even after three visits between 9am to 1pm.
Similar condition was seen even at the cattle market adjacent to Barnamala School at Jatrabarhi.
A member of the market management committee, Md Osman Gani said, “We are operating the market braving the inclement weather. Apart from draining out the water that accumulated in various places in the market, we are also trying to ensure that cattle do not fall sick in this wet weather.”
Cattle trader ‘Selim’ of Faridpur said they were having difficulties in staying in the market because of the rain. He also expressed concern about the “well-being” of the cattle.
“Animals are facing a lot of problems due to the rain. Though we have covered the cow sheds with tarpaulin, during rain we try to take them to nearby dry places,” said a trader who came from Jamalpur.
He said though initially there was dearth of customers, from Wednesday they started trickling in.
However, they were not yet keen on purchasing, he added.
But, goat traders were happy with their business, though some complaints about prices were heard from the customers.
Source: Bd news24