With only 10 days left before Eid-ul-Azha, cattle sales have yet to gain expected momentum in Sharsha upazila of Jessore, leaving farmers and traders concerned as buyer turnout remains unusually low despite a sufficient supply of sacrificial animals.
A visit to Satmail cattle market showed the market filled with cows, goats, sheep, and buffaloes brought in ahead of Eid. However, trading activity was noticeably weak. Only a small number of visitors were seen inspecting livestock and bargaining before leaving without making purchases, reflecting sluggish sales.
According to the Department of Livestock Services, Sharsha upazila has prepared around 16,000 sacrificial animals this year, including 13,100 cows, 2,300 goats, and 950 buffaloes. The local demand is estimated at 13,526 animals, indicating that supply is sufficient to meet needs.
Officials said the upazila has 1,131 cattle farms, including 15 registered large farms, while the rest are small-scale farmer-operated units. In preparation for Eid, these farms have supplied animals to both permanent and temporary markets across the area.
Sharsha operates two permanent cattle markets—Satmail and Navaran—where most trading activity is usually concentrated. However, this year both markets have failed to attract the usual crowd of buyers. Traders attribute the slowdown largely to the ongoing paddy-harvesting season, which has kept many rural consumers occupied with agricultural work.
As a result, cattle sales have remained below expectations. Animals that were expected to sell for Tk50,000 to Tk70,000 are currently being sold in the range of Tk45,000 to Tk55,000. Higher-priced cattle, valued between Tk200,000 and Tk300,000, are also available, but demand for them is limited.
Farmers expressed concern that continued sluggish demand may force them to sell at lower prices, potentially leading to financial losses. Many cattle rearers also pointed to rising feed costs, which have increased production expenses and reduced profit margins. Some blamed reduced festive enthusiasm due to recent floods and the ongoing agricultural season.
Farmer Asaduzzaman who brought cattle to Satmail market, said he had made significant efforts to bring his animals but had yet to secure a sale. He added that the current offers were much lower than expected, making it difficult to meet his investment costs.
Market authorities also confirmed the slow pace of trading. Satmail market manager Jahangir Alam said that although there is no shortage of livestock, buyer presence is very limited this year, raising concerns of financial losses for farmers and traders. He urged buyers from Dhaka and other districts to visit the market to help improve sales. He also noted that the cattle entry fee has been reduced from Tk600 to Tk500 to encourage participation.
Meanwhile, Sharsha Upazila livestock officer Dr. Tapu Kumar Saha said the Department of Livestock Services is continuously monitoring animal health and market conditions. He added that, alongside formal markets, cattle are also being sold directly from local farms.
Despite adequate supply and stable pricing, the shortage of buyers has left farmers uncertain as Eid approaches, with concerns that the peak selling period may pass without expected returns.