Khulna Division is set to witness a large surplus of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha this year, with authorities concerned assuring that cattle are more than sufficient to meet demand.
According to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), the division requires around 10.79 lakh animals for Eid sacrifices, while farmers and breeders have prepared nearly 14.47 lakh animals. This leaves an estimated surplus of 367,360 animals, raising hopes that prices will remain affordable for buyers.
Dr Md Golam Haider, Director of Khulna DLS, said the entire demand can be met through locally raised livestock, eliminating the need for imports. “Since supply exceeds demand, prices are expected to remain stable and may even decline slightly,” he said.
This year’s livestock stock includes more than 130,000 bulls, 82,000 cows, 851,000 goats, 51,000 sheep and several thousand buffaloes and oxen. Makeshift cattle markets across Khulna Division’s 10 districts are expected to become fully active within the next week.
Farmers, however, said rising feed prices may push cattle prices slightly higher. Shahabuddin Ahmed, a cattle farmer from Rupsha upazila, noted that increased fodder costs have added pressure on livestock producers this year.
Cattle farmer Md Didarul Alam from Dumuria said he has spent nearly a year raising seven indigenous cattle using natural fodder, including grass, maize and wheat bran. Another farmer, Liaquat Hossain, said his family has expanded its traditional cattle farming into a commercial operation that now includes both cattle and local and foreign goat breeds.
At the same time, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has struggled to lease out the city’s traditional Joragate cattle market despite issuing tenders four times. Officials said if no bidder comes forward, KCC will operate the market directly, as it did last year, earning Tk 2.07 crore in revenue.
Authorities concerned said security patrols, medical teams and anti-counterfeit currency measures will be in place to ensure smooth market operations before Eid-ul-Azha.