The cattle markets in Dhaka have started to gain momentum, as customers turned up in large numbers on Sunday while many of them purchased sacrificial animals to avoid last-minute hassle and uncertainty.
The prices of cows are higher this year, compared to the previous year, according to customers and traders.
Visiting different cattle markets in Sanirakhra, Golapbagh and Shahjahanpur of the city, the FE correspondent found the presence of a large number of customers on the day, compared to Saturday last.
Despite a sufficient supply of cows in the cattle markets, the prices of the sacrificial animals are unexpectedly higher this time, said the customers.
They alleged that the cattle traders and rearers were manipulating the prices.
While talking to the FE correspondent at Shahjahanpur cattle market, Oli Ahmed, a trader who brought 15 different types of cows from Manikganj district, said the increased prices of cattle fodders coupled with high transportation cost had forced them to sell sacrificial animals at higher prices to ensure minimum profits.
Oli said that he would sell each of a lower-medium sized cow between Tk 80,000 and Tk 90,000.
Though the trader had been able to sell a cow at Tk 85,000from Saturday until Sunday afternoon, he expressed hope that he would be able to sell the remaining cows by Tuesday.
Another trader named Abdul Gaffar, who came from Kolaroa upazila of Satkhira district with several cows including a big-sized one, said that he had so far sold only two lower-medium sized cows totalling Tk 180,000.
Mr Gaffar said he would sell his big-sized cow (around 25 maunds) at Tk 800,000 only and that he had reared the cow over the last four years.
The cattle traders expressed hope that the sales of cows would pick up pace from Monday (today) despite customers' perception of higher prices.
