Price and demand of medium-sized cows high

The cattle markets are pulsating with local-variety of cows ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest festival for Muslims, as a shortage of sacrificial animals this time has pushed up the prices, reports UNB.

A medium-sized cow is being sold at Tk 70,000 to Tk 100,000 at cattle markets in Shiber Bazar, Mathar Bazar, Dutiar Dighirpar, Chhoygram, Chanpur Bazar and Chawkbazar of Cumilla district town.

"Demand of medium-sized cattle is high," said Azmal Hossain, selling cattle at Chanpur market. "The price is quite satisfactory."

Abdus Salam, a banker, bought a mid-sized cow for Tk 95,000. "The price this year seemed to be higher than the previous year," he said. "Last year, a similar-sized cow cost Tk 70,000."

One of the reasons for the high price is shortage of around 60,000 sacrificial animals. Currently, there are 257,000 animals in the markets against a demand of 315,000 ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.

Cumilla livestock officer Nazrul Islam hoped that animals from other districts would fill the deficit. Some 311,112 animals were sacrificed in the district last year, he said.

Nazrul observed farmers and cattle rearers in Cumilla will get desired prices for their animals if the decision not to import cattle from India and Myanmar is implemented strictly.

Meanwhile, cattle markets set up on the roads in Bakhrabad and Neura of the town are obstructing vehicular movement.