Some people and different social organisations are buying rawhides at low prices where the BTA is not involved in any way, he said, adding that tannery owners will buy salted rawhide at the price fixed by the government.
Some media have been publishing fabricated news regarding the price of rawhide this year, saying it has been the lowest in the past 30 years, BTA president said, adding that such news is far from authentic.
“Such misleading information will encourage smugglers in trafficking rawhides to neighbouring countries. We’re requesting the government to step 
up surveillance in border areas for the next one month to stop possible smuggling of rawhides,” 
he said.
He also added that sellers would not get a proper price if salt is not mixed with rawhides properly.
“The tanners will begin collecting rawhides within a week, if seasonal traders preserve their leather with salt properly,” Shahin Ahmed said.
Most of the tanneries have failed to produce as per demand, the BTA leader said, adding that 40-45 per cent rawhides still remain unsold which were procured last year.
“The tanners have failed to produce in the last two years as per demand due to the relocation of factories from the city’s Hazaribagh to Savar. As a result, it hampered the export of processed hides. Besides, most of the factory owners are facing a funds crunch due to tannery relocation,” the BTA president said.
Only 42 tannery owners have received bank loans this year to purchase rawhides, he said, adding that the remaining owners were not given loan as they have failed to repay the loans.
“The demand for finished leather has dipped in international markets, which is also responsible for the decline in the prices of rawhides,” he claimed.