It all comes down to today

Despite yesterday's inclement weather, the price of sacrificial animal especially bulls was still high compared to the last year.

Though supply of the bulls was aplenty at the capital's cattle markets, traders are selling small and mid-sized bulls at a high price -- Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000 more in comparison to that of last year. The price of a large size bull is also around Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000 more.

For that, many buyers were seen returning empty handed. Many decided to buy today, the last day before Eid, as they are hoping the price may fall due to a huge supply.

Traders on the other hand are still hopeful of getting a good price till the last day for which they are not reducing their prices.

“I have decided to come back on Monday, hopefully the price will drop,” said Adbul Kader, a resident of Mirpur-12 who went to the Eastern Housing cattle market at Mirpur-6.

Kholil, a resident of Mirpur's Shanbadik Colony who purchased a bull from there, said he paid Tk 63,000 for the animal, which was around Tk 50,000 last year.

Molla, a resident of Kazipara, said he also had to pay around Tk 10,000 more for a same size bull at the Kochukhet cattle market.

The traders on the other hand are happy as they are making good profits and praying that the trend will continue.

“I have sold 13 bulls till yesterday afternoon and made a good profit,” said Abdul Gani, who brought 21 bulls from Kushtia to the Eastern Housing cattle market. “But I am a bit tensed as I still have eight left and the market is full of cattle.”

Sarowar Hossain, a resident of Sobhanbag, however is happy getting a sheep for Tk 5,000 since he paid Tk 7,000 for a same size one last year.

BUTTI COW

Around eight Butti oxen, a variety of cattle from Bhutan, were brought to the Kamalapur cattle market.

 “I have brought five Bhutani bulls from Kushtia on Wednesday and could sell only one for Tk 62,000 the next day. I am still not getting customers for the rest,” said a tensed Anowar Hossain.

He said he reared the bulls for around eight months after purchasing those by paying Tk 15,500 to Tk 20,000. “I am willing to sell them at Tk 30,000 to Tk 40,000,” he said.

MIRKADIM COW

The cattle from Mirkadim, an area in Munshiganj, are one of the most sought after among the country's beef connoisseurs. And you will not get Mirkadim cows everywhere or in large numbers.

There is just one cattle market during every Eid-ul-Azha where traders sell these particular breed. The numbers are limited and the cows are quite pricey.

For around six decades, Mirkadim cows are exclusively being sold at the Rahmatganj cattle market and people of old town are its customers. What is so great about this Rajasthani breed of cattle raised specially for the Eid cattle market?

Firstly, its meat is extra tender and has a distinct flavour. Secondly, you will not find a bull among the cattle being sold. The cows are all white in colour with a reddish tint. Their eyebrows and horns are also white, which makes them stand out.

Our Munishganj correspondent reports: Around 150 Mirkadim cows were taken to the Rahmatganj cattle market this year like the previous year.

Even around 10 years back around 1,000 cows were being brought to the market, said farmers.

Kamal Uddin, a farmer, said low price and high cost of cattle fodders and lack of cow body to rear the cows are some of the causes behind the reducing of the numbers.

Munishiganj District Administrator Md Saiful Hasan Badol said Mirkadim cows are part of their tradition and local administration is supporting the farmers in this regard.

EXTRA TOLL

Our Patuakhali correspondent reports: Leasers of around 150 cattle markets in the district are charging extra toll money, neglecting the fixed rate.

Leasers are collecting Tk 500 to 1,000 for each goat and sheep, Tk 1,000 to Tk 2,000 for each bull/cow or buffalo though district administration has set the toll to be under Tk 200 for all the sacrificial animals.

Rezaul Karim of Bahalgachia paid Tk 42,000 for a cow but the leasers realised Tk 1,500 from him, he said.

It was decided that the leasers would display the rate-chart for the animals at every cattle markets but they are not following the instruction, alleged the buyers.

Contacted, AKM Shamimul Haque Siddikee, DC of Patuakhali, said, “If found, steps will be taken against the leasers who are realising extra money in the name of toll.”

(Our Munshiganj and Patuakhali correspondents contributed to this report.)