Cattle sales get momentum in city markets

Golam Mostafa Jibon: The sale of sacrificial animals including different size and species of cattle has gained momentum at different makeshift cattle markets in the capital ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Eid-ul-Azha, one of the largest festivals of Muslim is set to be observed on July 10.
Although, the buyers and visitors have started flocking to the markets, the traders are expecting to continue the selling and purchasing of sacrificial animals until moon night.
Both the buyers and sellers said that, the price of cattle is higher this time as compared to last year. The sellers are increased the prices of the animals brought to different markets in the capital so far. The sellers claimed that, the cattle prices have gone up due to extortion on different roads and highways during transportation of the animals as well as rising of fodders’ price. Only two more days are remaining to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha. Usually the cattle market has been started gaining momentum from a week ago. Traders brought cows to the market two or three days ago to avert various problems like getting rid from accommodation crisis. They came to the cattle market early to grab place for keeping and displaying cattle. But, sellers are demanding high prices of animals on excuse of higher carrying costs. They claimed taht the price of cattle is higher due to extortion on the way. The high price of cattle feeds is also another reason for the calling high price of cattle.
Discount on cattle sales in the capital’s hats will start from tomorrow. But before that, cattle have started to reach at different cattle Haat including Gabtali, Sher-e-Bangla Nagor and Aftabnagor in the city. Most of the markets have been decorated with different designs. The cattle sellers, who are coming new, are looking for a place for them and the cattle, while buyers are looking for good ones.
Abdul Hamid, owner of Shahzadpur Dairy farm said, “I have brought 10 cattle to Aftabnagor cattle market with a hope to get high prices. Meanwhile, two of the cattle have been sold, while rests are waiting for sell. Many people are coming, looking and asking about the price. I hope that, I shall get reasonable prices this year.”
Imran Hossain, who came to Gabtoli market from Shyamoli area to purchase a cattle said, “Traders are demanding high prices of cattle compared to the previous years. They claimed that, the price of meat has already increased in the market. Besides, the prices of fodders have gone up. This is why, they are demanding high prices. But, it is too much. Almost doubled prices are being sought by the traders compared to the previous year.”