Cattle prices crash over 50% in Dhaka markets on last day

Prices of sacrificial cattle at Dhaka's makeshift markets have plummeted by more than 50% in the final hours before Eid-ul-Adha, with traders reporting heavy losses while buyers welcomed the sharp decline, though poor weather and soaring transport costs are dampening the overall festive mood.

Visits to several cattle markets across the capital today (27 May) revealed a dramatic single-day price drop for medium and large cattle, while smaller animals remained largely steady in price.

At the Notunbazar 100-Feet cattle market, trader Aynal, who brought 19 cattle from Chuadanga, said buyers are now offering Tk1.20 lakh to Tk1.50 lakh for animals he had priced at Tk2.50 lakh.

"If I sell at these prices, I will face massive losses," he said, adding that he managed to sell only seven animals.

Another trader, Shahin, who travelled from Jamalpur with seven cattle, sold only three. He said a cow he had refused to part with at Tk1.80 lakh is now being offered at Tk1.20 lakh, while another priced at Tk3 lakh is drawing bids of just Tk1.50 lakh.

At the Aftabnagar market, buyer Raisu noted that demand for premium cattle has virtually collapsed. "No one is willing to go beyond Tk5 lakh. Sellers asking Tk8 to Tk10 lakh are hearing counter-offers of Tk3 to Tk3.50 lakh. Those who brought high-value animals will likely return home without selling."

At Meradiya market, Monsur, who oversees the haseel (transaction tax) booth, confirmed the price slide. "Animals that were selling for Tk1.50 lakh are now going for Tk70,000 to Tk80,000," he said, noting that transaction volumes have fallen sharply compared to last Eid.

Weather and Logistics Add to Woes

Traders and buyers alike pointed to several days of continuous rainfall as the primary driver of the market downturn, creating waterlogging at multiple venues with no drainage arrangements in sight.

Buyer Sakibul Alam at the Tejgaon cattle market said adverse weather forced him to hire a pickup truck at twice the usual rate. "The cattle price has come down, but extra costs are being added from every direction."

Trader Suleman from Jamalpur, selling at Aftabnagar, said rising fodder prices and higher transport costs had already squeezed his margins before reaching Dhaka. "We raise cattle for Eid, expecting extra profit. But at the prices buyers are offering, selling to a butcher by the kilogram would fetch more."

Buyer Saidul Islam at Meradiya noted that a 5% haseel charge, roughly Tk10,000 on a Tk2 lakh purchase, is also factored into buyers' calculations, adding further pressure on transaction prices.

Sellers are urging hat authorities to ensure proper drainage infrastructure at cattle markets in future years, warning that the combination of poor facilities and unpredictable weather is making the annual trade increasingly unviable for farmers.