Festive mood sets in as cattle trucks arrive in Dhaka ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

Buyers report that asking prices are steep

As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, the festive mode is rapidly setting in across Bangladesh with temporary animal markets opening up to receive an influx of sacrificial livestock.

Although the formal trading window set by the twin city corporations officially begins on May 24, Dhaka’s marketplaces are already buzzing with activity as traders arrive from distant corners of the country.

Visits to the Shahjahanpur and Tejgaon cattle markets on Friday revealed scenes of bustling preparation, curiosity, and early festive enthusiasm.

At the entrance of the Tejgaon market, a massive crowd gathered around an unusual sight: four towering camels.

Onlookers scrambled to take photos on their phones, while nearby, a massive, jet-black bull named "Iran" -- brought by Shahjalal Sujan of Cumilla’s Soad Cattle Farm -- drew widespread admiration from visitors.

Beyond the typical cows and goats, these markets are playing host to sheep, fat-tailed sheep, and camels, adding a touch of exhibition to the trading grounds.

"The environment here is great, though actual buyers are still few," said Joynal Hossain, a trader who travelled from Chuadanga with a group of four vendors managing 17 cows.

"People are mostly looking and asking for prices, but the market will truly gain momentum in a day or two."

Hay and fodder stalls have sprung up alongside makeshift eateries catering to the thousands of arriving traders.

"We stay right beside the cows, sleeping on the floor next to them," shared Habibur Rahman, another vendor from Chuadanga who brought 12 cows.

Rubel Hossain, a local resident visiting Tejgaon, noted that asking prices remain steep.

Traders argue that the prices reflect escalating rearing costs.

Dhaka's two city corporations have planned a total of 27 temporary markets this season -- 16 under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 11 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

So far, lease agreements for 20 of these sites have been finalised.

Eid-ul-Azha is scheduled to be celebrated on May 28.