Camels in Chattogram cattle market draw crowds

Three camels have arrived at the Moizzar Tek CDA Residential Cattle Market, a bustling sacrificial animal market located in Karnaphuli Upazila of Chattogram. The camels were brought in from the Firoz-Mamun Dairy Farm in Benapole, Jessore, on Thursday morning.

While buyers have traditionally flocked to the market for cows and goats, this year's arrival of camels has sparked significant curiosity and footfall. Many visitors were seen catching a glimpse of the camels and taking photos and selfies with them. Youths, in particular, gathered around the camels to see, for the first time in most cases, an animal from the desert.

Each camel is priced between Tk30 lakh and Tk35 lakh, but as of Friday night (May 30), no buyers had closed a deal—except for one. A businessman from Dhaka reportedly purchased a camel for Tk30 lakh.

Montu Hossain, a representative from the dairy farm, shared, "We bring more than 150 cows to this market every year, but this is the first time we've brought camels." He added that each camel weighs approximately 15 maunds (around 562 kg) and stands at an impressive 12 feet tall.

The camels were initially purchased in Dhaka two years ago for around Tk21 to 22 lakh each. Since then, they've been maintained with a specialised daily diet that includes chickpeas, maize, wheat, lentil husks, and fresh grass. They are also bathed every morning to keep them in peak condition. Onlookers have been flocking to the market to admire the camels and inquire about their price.

The Moizzar Tek CDA Cattle Market is one of three permanent sacrificial animal markets officially authorised by the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), alongside Sagarika and Bibirhat. Each year during Eid-ul-Adha, the CCC and the district administration jointly approve an additional 12 temporary cattle markets across Chattogram city and its surrounding upazilas.

This year, nine designated spots within CCC's jurisdiction have been allocated for temporary markets. Authorities have also issued warnings that strict action will be taken against any unauthorized makeshift markets, particularly those set up in school fields or other public spaces.

In contrast to temporary setups, Chattogram's permanent cattle markets operate with long-term infrastructure, dedicated spaces, and year-round oversight, ramping up significantly in the weeks leading up to Eid-ul-Adha.

While local farms within Chattogram contribute to the livestock supply, a substantial portion of the demand is met by animals transported from other regions of the country. This year, the estimated demand for sacrificial animals in Chattogram stands at 8,96,269, while the projected supply is 8,61,000 – indicating a potential shortfall of 35,269 animals. However, with an abundance of cattle arriving from different parts of the country, traders forecast that there will be no shortage in the market.

Moizzar Tek CDA Cattle Market, one of the city's key permanent markets, is especially equipped to handle the Eid rush. It features modern facilities including CCTV surveillance, on-site veterinary services, dedicated weighing stations, and spacious areas to ensure the smooth movement of both animals and buyers.

Jasim Uddin Jewel, the leaseholder of the market, said, "Moizzar Tek is not just a cattle market – it is a prime destination for buying sacrificial animals. The introduction of camels this year has definitely enhanced its appeal."