With less than a week remaining before the holy Eid-ul-Azha, sacrificial cattle markets have already sprung up across the capital city, but trading has yet to gather full momentum.
During visits to several makeshift cattle markets on Friday, this FE correspondent saw a comparatively low turnout of buyers, many of whom were inspecting animals without making purchases.
A large cattle and goat market has been set up in the Basila area of Mohammadpur, where farmers and wholesalers from different districts were waiting for customers with their cattle and goats.
Some traders were still busy installing bamboo posts to tie the animals.
Groups of prospective buyers were seen roaming through the market, examining different breeds of cows, goats and buffaloes. However, most were only inquiring about prices before leaving.
"Major sales will begin after May 26," said Ahad Ali Bepari, a trader who came from Chuadanga.
"People are still hesitant to buy. They come to get an idea of prices and walk away. There is also the issue of feeding and keeping the cattle after purchase, so buyers prefer to wait until the last moment," he added.
Rayhan Ali, a trader from Kushtia, said rising costs had put pressure on sellers.
"Cattle feed costs have increased by 30 to 40 per cent, while transport costs rose by around 30 per cent," he said. "We hope to recover our investments with some profit."
Many buyers were visiting the market to specifically search for local breeds of cattle.
Ruhul Amin, a resident of Adabar, said he was yet to find suitable cattle. "Most of the cattle here are mixed breeds. I was looking for local cows. I will observe the market first and buy later," he said.
According to the Department of Livestock Services, farmers and seasonal rearers across the country have prepared around 5.69 million cows and buffaloes, 6.63 million goats and sheep, and more than 1,500 animals of other species for this Eid.
The country has a surplus of around 2.4 million sacrificial animals this year, it said.
A total of 24 cattle markets, including the permanent one at Gabtoli cattle market, will operate in Dhaka under the supervision of the Dhaka North City Corporation and the Dhaka South City Corporation.
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