Dhaka: The sales of cattle at different markets across the capital picked up momentum on Tuesday, four days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, as the prices of the sacrificial animals seem to the same of the last year's ones.

However, traders were seen seeking higher prices for their cattle while the customers were bargaining hard as the supply of sacrificial animals is adequate.

Cattle market authorities said the sales will reach the peak on Wednesday and Thursday as the eid is getting very nearer.

Besides, cattle sales in several online sites offering sacrificial animals have gained momentum as many people are opting to buy cattle online to avoid the hassle of traditional way of visiting cattle markets.

Though the online sites started selling the sacrificial animals since long, the capital's makeshift cattle markets were formally opened to buyers on Monday.

Visiting Aftabnagar, Meradia, Shanir Akhara, Dhupkhola, Lalbagh and Jhigatala-Hazaribagh ground cattle markets in the capital, it was seen those were brimming with huge customers and traders amid huge supply of cattle.

Traders were getting relatively good prices for small-sized local bulls due to their higher demand among buyers.

However, traders alleged that customers are offering throwaway prices for big-sized oxen.

Most of the buyers, who succeeded to purchase their sacrificial animals, voiced their satisfactions as they think the prices of the sacrificial animals are almost like that of last year.

Rubel who bought a bull at Tk 50,000 at Meradia Cattle Market said the price of the same-sized sacrificial animal was at Tk 50,000 to Tk 52,000 last year.

Businessman Alamgir Hossain, who bought a bull at Tk 90,000 from Afatabnagar Haat, said the prices of big-sized cattle are comparatively lower this year.
 Showing the cattle he bought, Hossain said the same cow was sold around Tk 1 lakh last year.

Haji Ohidur Rahman Wakil, the leaseholder of Jhigatala-Hazaribagh Cattle Market, said the sales got momentum on Tuesday afternoon at their market with huge supply of cattle. "I hope the sales will mark a sharp rise on Wednesday and continue until Friday."

Afatbnagar Haat leaseholder Abdur Rahman Rubel said their market has been witnessing good sales since Tuesday noon. "It'll continue to rise until Friday night."

Kamal, a cattle trader who came from Kushtia, said they are not getting prices for the cattle as per their expectations, but selling those thinking the prices may fall further at the last moment.

Talking to UNB at Dhupkhola Cattle Market, Aziz Mollah, a cattle trader from Rajshahi, said the buyers are offering relatively lower prices for big-sized cattle this year.

Keeping the pace with other online shopping sties, over a dozen online shopping sites, including bengalmeat.com, amardesheshop.com and bikroy.com, are now offering sacrificial cows and goats with the delivery service, and getting good response.

The online sites are offering photos and details of the animals with various attractive messages to draw the attention of their buyers.

Contacted, bengalmeat.com head of marketing Mehedi Sajjad said they are getting tremendous response from online buyers this year. "We sold only 100 cattle last year during the Eid occasion. But we've so far got offer to sell 525 cattle this year and 500 of them have already been sold out."

He said they are not only ensuring home delivery of the cattle, but also giving cow slaughtering and meat processing services to their customers.

Yaser Noor, director (distribution) of bikroy.com, said they are also getting huge response from the buyers as online cattle market is gaining popularity fast. He said they sold around 700 cattle last year, but it will be more than double this year.

Abul Khayer, a banker who lives in Rampura area, said he bought a bull from bengalmeat.com in a reasonable price. "The online sales of sacrificial animals are getting popular as people now want to avoid hassle in cattle markets."