Bangladesh raises Eid-ul-Azha rawhide prices by Tk 2-3 per sqft

Cow hide prices are up by Tk 2, goat by Tk 3

The government has set new prices for the hides of sacrificial animals before Eid-ul-Azha, increasing the rates for cow hides by Tk 2 and goat hides by Tk 3 per sqft compared with last year.

Under the new rates, tannery owners will buy salt-applied cow hides in Dhaka for Tk 62–67 per sqft, up from last year’s Tk 60–65.

Outside the capital, the price has been set at Tk 57–62 per sqft, rising from the previous Tk 55–60.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir announced the decision on Wednesday following a meeting at the ministry.

The price for salted goat, locally called Khashi, hides has been fixed at Tk 25–30 per sqft, while goat, known as Bokri, hides will be priced at Tk 22–25.

These rates for goat skins will be uniform across the country.

Last year, these prices were Tk 22–27 and Tk 20–22, respectively.

"Local administrations and monitoring teams from the commerce ministry will remain active across the country to ensure proper preservation," the minister said.

"We expect roughly 10 million animals to be sacrificed this year, and we want our local industry to preserve all the hides."

Addressing the possibility of exports, the minister added: "If we feel it is necessary to allow the export of raw hides, we will consider it after Eid. At this moment, we do not see the need, so I cannot specify a timeframe."

To prevent damage to the hides, the government is seeking assistance from the Islamic Foundation to have Imams sensitise the public on preservation techniques.

Moreover, the minister announced that the government will provide Tk 176 million worth of salt free of charge to facilitate the preservation of raw hides.