Despite adequate cattle production across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, prices of sacrificial animals, particularly bulls, remain high due to increased production costs.

Traders are also reluctant to bring large animals to markets after suffering losses last year.

During a visit to Gabtoli cattle market on Sunday, the number of sacrificial animals was found to be still low, although traders said cattle production across different districts had been good.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, the country has 1.23 crore sacrificial animals against an estimated demand of 1.01 crore, leaving a surplus of more than 22 lakh animals.

At a press briefing on May 3, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid said adequate supplies of sacrificial animals had been ensured nationwide ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

“The country has an estimated demand of 1,01,06,334 sacrificial animals against an available supply of 1,23,33,840, leaving a surplus of around 22 lakh animals,” he said.

The available stock includes around 57 lakh cattle and buffaloes, around 66 lakh goats and sheep, and 5,655 animals of other species.

The minister also said the government had decided not to allow cattle markets in vulnerable border areas to prevent the inflow of foreign animals and protect local farmers.

Mohammad Atiar, a trader from Sirajganj who usually brings sacrificial animals to Gabtoli, said he has not yet brought Eid cattle to the market to avoid losses similar to those of last year.

“I brought 13 bulls for meat traders, but no sacrificial animals yet. Last year at the same time I had brought around 40 cattle,” he said.

Atiar plans to bring cattle only four to five days before Eid and avoid large bulls priced above Tk 4 lakh.

Sharing his experience, he said he incurred losses of around Tk 5 lakh last year due to poor demand for large-sized bulls.

“This year I will focus on cattle priced between Tk 1.50 lakh and Tk 2.50 lakh,” he said.

Mohammad Sohel Rana, another trader at Gabtoli, said cattle prices remain high because traders themselves bought animals at higher rates.

He said both cattle numbers and customer turnout at the market remain low for now, as buyers usually begin arriving in larger numbers during the final days before Eid.

Babul Mia, who plans to bring 40–50 bulls to Gabtoli, said, “If we bring cattle early, keeping them here becomes costly and risky because customer numbers are still low.”

Trader Mohammad Anowar said many buyers now purchase sacrificial animals directly from farms or smaller cattle markets around Dhaka, reducing customer flow at Gabtali until the final days before Eid.

FARMERS FACE RISING COSTS

Farmers said rising feed, transport and labour costs are squeezing profits despite steady sales.

Musa Ibrahim, owner of Everest Dairy Farm in Keraniganj, said cattle prices at his farm range from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 7 lakh, while around 15 cattle have already been sold.

“We made some profit, but only a small amount,” he said.

According to him, cattle rearing costs have increased by 20–25 percent compared to last year due to higher feed, labour and operational expenses.

“Customers compare prices with last year and say prices are higher now. But at those old prices, we cannot even cover our expenses,” he said.

He described this year’s business environment as “average” but increasingly risky.

Meanwhile, Farhan Ashraf of Cattle Ranch Bangladesh, which operates farms in Pabna with sales points in Dhaka, said the farm prepared more than 200 cattle for Eid, priced between Tk 1 lakh and Tk 12 lakh.

Nearly 60 percent of the cattle have already been sold, he said, although profit margins remain thin.

“Transportation, feed and vaccination costs have all increased this year,” Farhan said.

He noted that transport costs rose by Tk 1,000–1,500 per animal, feed expenses increased by around Tk 2,000 per month, while vaccine costs climbed from Tk 3,500 to nearly Tk 4,900.

He said cattle purchase prices also rose by Tk 7,000–15,000 per animal, depending on breed and size.

Despite strong sales, he said many farmers are making only marginal profits due to rising costs across the production chain.