A permanent rawhide market in Khulna could help traders avoid recurring losses during Eid-ul-Azha, local businessmen say.
Rawhide traders expressed frustration, alleging that the previous government failed to adopt business-friendly measures to protect the sector.
During a visit to the city’s Sheikhpara area on Sunday — the main hub for rawhide trading during Eid — traders demanded the establishment of a permanent market along with proper preservation facilities ahead of the festival season.
Every year, temporary rawhide markets are set up on roadsides during Eid-ul-Azha, with Sheikhpara emerging as the city’s primary trading centre. However, traders said no permanent market has yet been developed in Khulna.
According to them, no new rawhide trading hub has been established in the last seven years. The absence of storage and preservation facilities continues to create major difficulties during Eid-ul-Azha every year.
Babar Ali, a trader from Sheikhpara, said around 35 traders once operated from nearly 10 shops in the area. Over time, however, many shop owners became reluctant to rent out premises for rawhide businesses, forcing traders to gradually shut down operations.
He also said many traders incurred heavy losses after tannery companies failed to make timely payments.
“We need a permanent market near the existing trading zone. If proper facilities are ensured and hides are purchased at government-fixed prices, both traders and sellers will benefit,” he said.
Kartik Ghosh, general secretary of the Khulna Rawhide Traders Association, said traders are struggling due to the lack of preservation facilities.
“Sheikhpara’s temporary roadside rawhide market, locally known as Chamarpatti, was once a renowned trading centre. That tradition is now fading, and many traders have already left the business,” he said.
Association president Abdus Salam Dhali said the rawhide business in Khulna is on the verge of collapse.
He noted that government-fixed prices mainly apply to preserved and processed hides.
“We could not collect and preserve the expected volume of rawhides because of a shortage of labourers, inadequate tannery depots, and falling hide prices,” he said.
Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju said the city corporation would consider the issue if traders formally submit a proposal for a permanent rawhide market.
“We will consider where such a market can be established,” he added.
According to sources, of the total hides collected, 119,112 came from cows and buffaloes, while 207,682 were collected from goats, sheep, and other sacrificial animals.
