As the Eid-ul-Azha is being celebrated across the country, the rawhide market in the capital’s Posta area has already gained momentum with people from different parts of the city bringing rawhides from slaughtered animals to sell in the market.
Pickup vans and trucks laden with rawhide were seen being taken to the Posta area on Monday (17 June) afternoon.
However, rawhide traders and tanners are buying rawhides lower than the government-set prices.
The rawhide traders and tanners said that they are buying whole cow rawhides at Tk700-900.
Photo: Bangladesh First/Noor-A-Alam
Samina Tanners (PVT) Limited Manager Khurshed Alam was busy buying rawhide.
“We are buying cow rawhides for Tk700-900. Till 2:00pm on the Eid day, we had bought more than 200 pieces of cow rawhides,” he added.
When asked why they are buying rawhide below the government fixed rate, he said rawhides cannot be traded at a fixed price.
“The government itself knew well that rawhide cannot be traded on a fixed price. The price fluctuated on the supply and demand principle,” said Khurshed Alam.
Photo: Bangladesh First/Noor-A-Alam
Taiabur Rahman had brought seven cowhides to sell in the Posta rawhide market.
He sold all seven rawhides to Khurshed, each for Tk700.
“The price is not fair, I think the price should have been Tk900 per piece,” said Taiabur Rahman.
Seasonal traders
Like in previous years, seasonal traders were also buying rawhides from individuals in different parts of the city.
Poultry businessman Shahjahan was buying rawhides in front of the closed sweetmeat shop in the capital’s Jigatola area. Till 1:30pm on Eid day, he bought more than 400 cow rawhides.
“I am buying a cow rawhide for Tk400-450,” said Shahjahan.
Photo: Bangladesh First/Noor-A-Alam
When asked about the government-mandated prices, he said he was not aware of it.
He said that he has a target of buying around 1,500 pieces of cowhide.
Rahamat Ullah runs a betel leaf shop in Lalbagh.
Photo: Bangladesh First/Noor-A-Alam
However, on Eid day, he was buying cowhide from individuals. He said that till 2:00pm, he bought 7 cowhides, paying Tk600-700 for each.
When he was asked why they were buying rawhides at a low price. He said that they would need Tk300 for the salt to preserve each piece of rawhides with salt, Tk50 as the wages for each labourer and another Tk50 to store the rawhides.
“I will have to take these expenses into consideration,” said Rahamatullah.
