Farmers fret as production costs outpace cattle sales before Eid

With less than a week remaining until Eid-ul-Adha, cattle trading at sacrificial animal markets remains slow, hampered by heavy rainfall and low buyer turnout – unlike previous years when markets were bustling at this time.

While small to medium-sized cattle usually attract the highest demand, many farmers this year are expressing concerns over selling their larger animals, citing political uncertainties and reduced buyer interest.

Farmers report an oversupply of cattle exceeding demand, coupled with a 10-15% rise in production costs compared to last year, mainly due to increased labour and feed expenses. They fear significant losses if they cannot sell at favourable prices.

"There is an oversupply, but buyer enthusiasm is low – likely because people have less disposable income," said Malik Mohammad Omar, general secretary of the Chattogram Dairy Farmers Association and owner of Homeland Dairy Farm. 

"Due to political unrest, many affluent buyers – who typically purchase large cattle for multiple sacrifices – are absent this year. Last year's media reports of fraud involving large animals may have also dampened demand."

According to the Department of Livestock Services, around 20.5 lakh more sacrificial animals are available this year than required. A total of 1.24 crore animals have been prepared for the Eid markets, including 56 lakh cows and buffalo and 68 lakh goats, sheep, and others. Last year, the figure was 1.29 crore.

Costs up, sales down

Across Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh, cattle are being sold by live weight, typically ranging between Tk450 and Tk560 per kilogram depending on quality. 

Md Mokbul Hossain, owner of North Bengal Dairy Farm in the capital's Vatara, said his production costs have jumped 17% this year. "Last year, we sold cattle at Tk550 per kg; this year it's Tk560. But that small increase doesn't offset the rise in feed and labour costs," he told TBS.

In Bhola's South Digholdi village, farmer Kamrul Hasan Khokon has prepared 38 cattle for Eid. But sales are proving difficult. "I sold a cow today [Sunday] that would yield 8 maunds (320 kg) of meat for Tk2 lakh. If sold as meat, it would earn at least Tk2.5 lakh. Last year, a Tk1.5 lakh cow now barely fetched Tk1.2 lakh," he said.

Adverse weather has also slowed footfall in markets, compounding the problem. 

In Bogura, one of the country's main livestock hubs, farmers raising both local and imported breeds are seeing the same trend. Touhid Parvez Biplob, owner of Bhandar Dairy and Agro Farm, said, "We anticipated a price drop and sold early. Feed and labour costs have risen sharply, but cattle prices haven't followed. To protect farmers, both input and output prices need adjustment."

Losses in rural markets

In Bhimpur village of Naogaon, Golam Mostafa sold two large cattle earlier than planned, fearing they might not sell later. "I had to sell them for Tk30,000 less than I expected," he said.

In Lakshmipur, traders like Mahbub, Mannan, and others said large cows that sold for Tk30,000-Tk35,000 per maund last year are now going for Tk25,000, meaning losses of up to Tk50,000 per animal.  Yusuf, a farmer in Torabganj, said last year's floods raised feed costs by 50%, but market prices haven't kept pace.

Kushtia District Livestock Officer Md Al Mamun Hossain Mondal said farmers are receiving full support, and sacrificial animals worth Tk1,500 crore have been prepared in the district. While confident of meeting the sales target if trading continues, he noted that market visits revealed plenty of animals but few buyers – leaving farmers worried.

Speaking to TBS about the overall situation, Md Abu Sufian, director general of the Department of Livestock Services, said, "There is indeed an oversupply of cattle. Trading has begun in around 3,500 markets nationwide, and demand is typically stronger for smaller cattle.

"Due to weather conditions, markets may not have fully picked up yet, but we remain hopeful that trading will soon gain momentum," he added.

Our Lakshmipur, Bogura, Barishal, Rajshahi, and Kushtia correspondents contributed to this report