Dhaka: Cattle sale in markets across the capital is going on in full swing on Sunday, two days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, though the prices of the sacrificial animals still look much higher than last year’s.

However, there has been a slight downtrend in the prices compared to that of Friday and Saturday, but many customers are waiting for the further fall as cattle supply from outside the capital is still on.

Visiting Gabtoli, Pallabi Eastern Housing, Bhasantek-Mirpur-13, Kachukhet, Shanir Akhara, Jatrabari, Gopibagh cattle markets in the capital, it was seen those were brimming with huge customers and traders since morning.

Small-sized cows are being sold at unusually prices due to its higher demand among buyers.

Rezaul Karim who bought a cow at Tk 55,000 at Bhasantak-Mirpur-13 cattle market said the price of the same-sized sacrificial animal was at best Tk 35,000 last year.

He, however, said the cattle prices are relatively lower on Sunday than Friday’s and Saturday’s.

Though the prices of the big-sized cattle are comparatively cheaper than small-sized ones, their prices are still much higher than last year’s.

A government official, Tanzirul Islam, who bought a bull at Tk 1.22 lakh from the cattle market, said the prices of big-sized cattle are Tk 20,000 to Tk 15,000 higher this year than last year’s.

Showing the cattle he bought, Islam said the same cow was sold at Tk about 1 lakh to 1.1 lakh last year.’

Md Nasir Uddin, a leaser of the cattle market, said the sale got momentum on Sunday morning with moderate supply of cattle to their market.

‘Then prices of cattle fell slightly today (Sunday) though the supply of Indian cattle is very poor. Many customers are still observing the market expecting a further fall in prices,’ he said.

Shahidul Islam, a cattle trader who came from Kushtia, said they are getting fair prices this time due to poor presence of Indian cattle.

Talking to UNB at Jatrabari cattle market, Mostofa Mollah, a resident of Jatrabari, said he had bought a cow at Tk 75,000 after a long bargaining and spending huge time and energy. ‘Such cattle were sold at about Tk 55,000 last year.’

He said though the cattle supply is adequate, the traders are charging high prices as they think there might be a cattle crisis at the last moment as the supply of Indian cattle is poor this time.

The Department of Livestock Services has deployed its teams in the capital’s cattle markets to examine the health of cattle and check artificially fattened cows.

A total of 24 veterinary teams are working at different cattle markets in Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation areas.

A medical team member at Jatrabari Cattle Market, Mominul Haque, said they provide emergency treatment to cattle and check artificially fattened cows. At the request of buyers, his team examines whether cows are fattened artificially or they have diseases, he said.

The Livestock Services Department estimated that some 11.4 million local cattle, including some 4.4 million cows and buffalos and 7 million goat and sheep, would be sacrificed during Eid-ul-Azha this year.

Visiting Gabtoli Cattle Market, it was seen small-sized cattle were selling at Tk 40,000-Tk 50,000 each while medium-sized ones at Tk 55,000-100,000 depending on the physical appearance and colour.

Abdul Latif, a resident of Mirpur-12, said he was happy to buy his cow at Tk 70,000. He said the price of medium-sized cattle is cheaper than that of small-sized ones.

Another buyer Hamid of Mirpur-1 said he bought a small-sized cow at Tk 45,000, which is higher compared to last year’s price.

Director of Gabtoli Cattle Market Sanwar Hossain said the presence of buyers increased on Sunday with the rise in cattle supply. Prices are also affordable, he claimed.

Meanwhile, a good number of cattle entered the country from India through various border points of different districts, including Khulna and Jessore.