Seasonal rawhide traders in Jessore's Rajarhat have expressed disappointment as prices fell below their buying costs despite the expected turnout, making it difficult for them to break even.
Rajarhat is a major rawhide market in the southwestern region, drawing traders from ten districts within the Khulna division, as well as prominent merchants from Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Ishwardi, and Natore.
Leaseholders and business leaders report that nearly 60,000 rawhides were brought in for the market on Saturday.
Tanners collect 4.11m salted rawhideLakshman Chandra Das, a trader from Raghunathpur in Fultola upazila, brought 216 cow hides and has been in the rawhides business since 1982. He said: "I sold 40 small cow hides at Tk400 each by 9:30am. The larger ones sold for less than Tk600 each."
He reported that the average cost per rawhides, including purchasing, salting, transportation, and labour, was around Tk800. However, the market prices would lead to losses.
Babu Das from Tularampur in Narail brought 275 cow hides and 100 goat hides. He bought 400 cow hides this Eid, with an average expense of about Tk750 per rawhides, but the market price was only Tk500. Goat hides were quoted between Tk20 and Tk30 each.
Rawhide prices slightly increased in Chittagong, still far from govt ratesLitton Das from Shalikha, Magura, brought 100 cow hides and sold them for Tk80,000. He said: "Including all expenses, the cost was Tk75,000, but my labour is not being valued."
A trader, Hasib Chowdhury, said: "The rawhides are not selling at government-regulated prices. Good quality cow hides cost Tk50-55 per square foot, and goat hides at Tk15-20 each, but we are buying good quality cow hides at Tk30-35 per square foot.
"Low prices due to tannery relocations have led many middlemen to stop collecting rawhides. Tanneries and middlemen are now located in different areas. We have outstanding payments. Moreover, the cost of chemicals needed to process rawhides has risen," he added.
Seasonal rawhide traders fear another gloomy EidJessore District Leather Traders Association President Alauddin Mukul said: "Today's market has seen an expected turnout of hides. Nearly 60,000 cow hides were bought and sold today (Saturday). Cash sales were expected to exceed Tk3 crores today."
He disputed the seasonal traders' claims that rawhides are not being sold at government-regulated prices in this market.
