High demand for small, mid-sized cows drives prices up, leaves large bulls unsold | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
June 21, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025
High demand for small, mid-sized cows drives prices up, leaves large bulls unsold

Bangladesh

Mahfuz Ullah Babu
06 June, 2025, 01:15 pm
Last modified: 06 June, 2025, 02:57 pm

Related News

  • Eid was joyful for cleaning workers’ tireless efforts: Asif
  • Control room open for sacrificial animal waste clean-up; protests didn't disrupt operations: Dhaka South
  • Eid-ul-Adha celebrated amid festive spirit across Chattogram
  • Not animal, but pride, jealousy, injustice should be sacrificed: Asif Mahmud
  • CA Yunus offers Eid prayers at National Eidgah, prays for nation's wellbeing

High demand for small, mid-sized cows drives prices up, leaves large bulls unsold

For many families, reduced disposable income has further limited purchasing power

Mahfuz Ullah Babu
06 June, 2025, 01:15 pm
Last modified: 06 June, 2025, 02:57 pm
File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS

With Eid-ul-Adha approaching, demand for small and medium-sized sacrificial cows has surged across Bangladesh, pushing prices up and causing supply shortages, while larger bulls remain largely unsold, traders say.

From urban centres like Dhaka to rural markets, buyers are flocking to the haats for animals priced under Tk1.7 lakh, forcing cattle sellers to hike prices due to the high demand and limited availability. In contrast, large bulls priced over Tk3 lakh are seeing significantly less interest.

"We've been buying a mid-sized cow every year, but this year the price is at least 15%-20% higher," said Kawsar Ahmed, a retail business owner in the capital's Malibagh area. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"So, we teamed up with two friends and a relative to buy a larger bull for Tk2.4 lakh. It turned out to be value for money - around 5% cheaper than last year," he added.

This shift in buying behaviour reflects broader economic constraints. 

Shahin, a banker travelling to his home district Brahmanbaria for Eid, said, "Cash flow is tight, interest burdens are high, and the previous urge to show off wealth through large Qurbani animals has declined. Even the wealthy are avoiding extravagance."

A viral story of an overpriced goat last year triggered backlash and highlighted public frustration with corruption. 

"No one wants to repeat that mistake," Shahin added.

For many families, reduced disposable income has further limited purchasing power. 

Ashikur Rahman, an banker, said he had to pay Tk1.55 lakh for a mid-sized cow that might have cost Tk1.4 lakh last year. 

"I feel fewer animals will be sacrificed this year due to the financial strain," he noted.

Cattle traders are also experiencing this shift. 

Al Amin, who came from Munshiganj to the capital's Postagola haat with 15 cows, said, "All of my small and medium cattle sold quickly and brought in decent profit. But only one of my four large bulls has been sold. I'm worried the rest will eat away the profit."

According to him, large bulls are already 10% cheaper than last year, but buyers are still hesitant.

Faisal, a resident of Gazipur, said he bought his cow directly from a farmer for Tk1.25 lakh three days ago. 

"I'm happy with the deal, especially seeing similar cows now selling 15%-20% higher at the haats," he told TBS.

The farmer, disappointed with low returns in the past two seasons in Dhaka's cattle markets, also expressed satisfaction. 

"Selling locally saved me transportation costs and other hassles, even if I had to settle for a slightly lower price," he reportedly said.

Price and supply volatility is being observed across the 21 designated cattle markets in Dhaka, with significant price differences from one haat to another.

Monirul Islam from Hatirpul said he visited several markets in frustration before buying his bull for Tk1.6 lakh from Gabtoli on Friday. 

"Prices were too high elsewhere. There's clearly a mismatch in supply and demand this year," he said. 

Top News

cattle market / Eid Ul Adha

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/TBS Creative
    Govt to pass FY26 budget tomorrow
  • Protesting NBR officials hold a press briefing in Agargaon, Dhaka on 18 May 2025. Photo: TBS
    NBR Reform Unity Council announces fresh round of pen-down strike for Monday to press demands
  • The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers convened in Istanbul on Saturday. Photo: Collected
    OIC foreign ministers condemn Israeli aggression, call for regional unity

MOST VIEWED

  • BUET Professor Md Ehsan stands beside his newly designed autorickshaw—just 3.2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide—built for two passengers to ensure greater stability and prevent tipping. With a safety-focused top speed of 30 km/h, the vehicle can be produced at an estimated cost of Tk1.5 lakh. Photo: Junayet Rashel
    Buet’s smart fix for Dhaka's autorickshaws
  • Collage of the two Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) students -- Swagata Das Partha (left) and Shanto Tara Adnan (right) -- who have been arrested over raping a classmate after rendering her unconscious and filming nude videos. Photos: Collected
    2 SUST students held for allegedly rendering female classmate unconscious, raping her, filming nude videos
  • File photo of containers at Chattogram port/TBS
    3-month interim extension sought for Saif Powertec to operate Ctg port terminal
  • Photo: Collected
    All BTS members officially complete military service as Suga gets discharged
  • Dhaka Medical College students demonstrate over five demands in front of the institution's main gate in Dhaka on 21 June 2025. Photo: Courtesy
    Dhaka Medical College closed indefinitely amid protests over accommodation, students ordered to vacate halls
  • Infographic: TBS
    Airlines struggle to acquire planes amid global supply shortage

Related News

  • Eid was joyful for cleaning workers’ tireless efforts: Asif
  • Control room open for sacrificial animal waste clean-up; protests didn't disrupt operations: Dhaka South
  • Eid-ul-Adha celebrated amid festive spirit across Chattogram
  • Not animal, but pride, jealousy, injustice should be sacrificed: Asif Mahmud
  • CA Yunus offers Eid prayers at National Eidgah, prays for nation's wellbeing

Features

Airmen look at a GBU-57, or Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, US in 2023. Photo: Collected

Is the US preparing for direct military action in Iran?

10h | Panorama
Monsoon in Bandarban’s hilly hiking trails means endless adventure — something hundreds of Bangladeshi hikers eagerly await each year. But the risks are sometimes not worth the reward. Photo: Collected

Tragedy on the trail: The deadly cost of unregulated adventure tourism in Bangladesh’s hills

1d | Panorama
BUET Professor Md Ehsan stands beside his newly designed autorickshaw—just 3.2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide—built for two passengers to ensure greater stability and prevent tipping. With a safety-focused top speed of 30 km/h, the vehicle can be produced at an estimated cost of Tk1.5 lakh. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Buet’s smart fix for Dhaka's autorickshaws

1d | Features
Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

3d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Bangladesh not ready for LDC graduation: Rubana Haque

Bangladesh not ready for LDC graduation: Rubana Haque

33m | TBS Today
What does the planning advisor say about the budget and LDC graduation?

What does the planning advisor say about the budget and LDC graduation?

1h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 21 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 21 JUNE 2025

2h | TBS News of the day
Israel is spending $200 million a day on its war against Iran

Israel is spending $200 million a day on its war against Iran

3h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net