Over 415,000 animal hides collected in Ctg, thousands dumped amid price crisis

A total of 415,351 animal hides were collected in Chattogram during this year's Eid-ul-Adha, according to data released by the local hide merchants' association.

However, thousands of hides were dumped due to low market prices and a lack of preservation facilities.

Seasonal traders said they suffered heavy losses after failing to sell raw hides at fair prices.

Many, out of frustration, discarded thousands of hides on the streets, later collected and disposed of by the Chattogram City Corporation.

The total collection included 351,351 cow hides, 10,500 buffalo hides, and 52,500 goat hides.

Traders estimate that between 10,000 and 15,000 hides were dumped across the district.

Warehouse capacity also fell short amid the high volume of hides, making it difficult for traders to preserve or store unsold stock.

Traders alleged that despite the government supplying salt to madrasas and orphanages, many of these institutions sold untreated hides directly to wholesalers, reducing preservation quality and overall market value.

The district administration reported that 223 madrasas and orphanages in Chattogram received a total of 640 tonnes of salt free of cost, and successfully preserved around 185,000 hides.

Saiful Islam Bhuiyan, assistant commissioner of the Chattogram District Administration, told The Business Standard, "After distributing salt, we monitored the madrasas and orphanages. We found that four institutions did not use around 10 tonnes of the salt they were given. We have informed the Ministry of Commerce and are waiting for further instructions."

He added that an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 hides were dumped by traders who misunderstood the government-fixed pricing.

Abdul Quader, former president of the Greater Chattogram Raw Hide Traders Association, blamed excessive heat and transportation delays for damaging many hides.

"Many seasonal traders misunderstood the price set by the government. The announced rates were for salted hides, but traders bought raw hides at Tk400–600 each without considering the additional cost of salt, labour, and transport," he explained.

He also welcomed the government's salt support to madrasas and orphanages, but said, "If similar support were extended to traders, more hides could have been preserved."

This is not the first time such a crisis has occurred. In 2020, nearly 100,000 hides were dumped in Chattogram due to a similar situation, causing major losses for small traders.

Mahbub Alam, president of the hide traders association, said, "Once there were over 200 hide traders in Chattogram. Due to years of financial losses, most have left the sector. Only 25–30 traders remain, and they cannot manage the rising number of hides."

"We collect hides by borrowing from friends and family. Banks do not offer us loans. Without sufficient funds, we are unable to buy or preserve hides properly. If the government arranges loans, the leather trade could recover," he said.

As concerns grow, traders are urging the government to provide financial assistance and take immediate steps to prevent further wastage of sacrificial by-products.