Indian cattle flood markets

Indian cattle have started coming into Bangladesh markets through Benapole border ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
A small number of cattle began entering the markets from September 5. But the number swelled to 2,500 cattle until September 9. Only 330 cattle entered on September 5. The flow increased to 661 on September 6, 980 on September 7, 358 on September 8 and 667 on September 9.
All these cattle entered the country though five border points.
According to local sources, the animals are coming into the country after the Indian Border Security Force [BSF] have reportedly relaxed restriction on cross border cattle trade ahead of the Eid. The Indian authorities earlier imposed a ban on export of cattle leading to a spike in prices of beef in Bangladesh markets. Beef price in Jessore markets had increased to Tk 370 per kg from Tk 250 per kg after India tightened the restriction two months ago. However, the ban on Indian cow trade has encouraged local farmers to raise cattle to meet the local demand.
The Customs Department has, so far, collected Tk 130,000 as VAT from the cattle traders over the past few days on cattle brought from India.Five corridors have been officially set up on Benapole border for entry of the Indian cattle.
Officials said they have permission to open five more corridors for brining cattle from India ahead of the Eid.  
Local cattle traders Abdus Salam and Abdur Rahim said although a large number of cattle are entering in to the country their prices remain high in comparison with local animals.
When contracted 23 BGB Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col Abdur Rahim said this year, the number of cattle coming from India is poor compared to last year.
Our Noakhali correspondent adds: Many people living in char [shoal] areas expect to gain high profit from sale of the cows they have raised for the Eid-ul-Azha festival.
Cattle trader M Ibrahim of Noakhali Women’s  College area said he started rearing local cows in 2011 and now he has 14 bulls of different sizes. He purchased the bulls at a rate of Tk 40,000 to Tk 55,000 each this year. But he said the price last year was in the range between Tk 30,000 and Tk 40,000. Still he hopes to earn good profit during this Eid, he said.There is high demand for local cows in the markets. However, people living in low-lying areas faced difficulties in raising animals doe recurrent floods and tidal surge. There was fodder crisis and rise in the prices of cattle feed, hitting the cattle traders hard.  Aarfat colony, east Maijdee, Maijdee Bazaar, Masterpara, Harinarayunpur, Sonapur and Dattarhat are the main markets in the district.  District Livestock Department sources said there are 74 registered cattle rearing farms in Noakhali and char areas of Subarnachar and Hatiya upazilas. District Livestock Officer Ziaur Rahman said there will not be any shortage of sacrificial animals in the district this year.

 

Indian cattle flood markets

Indian cattle have started coming into Bangladesh markets through Benapole border ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. A small number of cattle began entering the markets from September 5. But the number swelled to 2,500 cattle until September 9. Only 330 cattle entered on September 5. The flow increased to 661 on September 6, 980 on September 7, 358 on September 8 and 667 on September 9. All these cattle entered the country though five border points. According to local sources, the animals are coming into the country after the Indian Border Security Force [BSF] have reportedly relaxed restriction on cross border cattle trade ahead of the Eid. The Indian authorities earlier imposed a ban on export of cattle leading to a spike in prices of beef in Bangladesh markets. Beef price in Jessore markets had increased to Tk 370 per kg from Tk 250 per kg after India tightened the restriction two months ago. However, the ban on Indian cow trade has encouraged local farmers to raise cattle to meet the local demand. The Customs Department has, so far, collected Tk 130,000 as VAT from the cattle traders over the past few days on cattle brought from India.Five corridors have been officially set up on Benapole border for entry of the Indian cattle. Officials said they have permission to open five more corridors for brining cattle from India ahead of the Eid. Local cattle traders Abdus Salam and Abdur Rahim said although a large number of cattle are entering in to the country their prices remain high in comparison with local animals. When contracted 23 BGB Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col Abdur Rahim said this year, the number of cattle coming from India is poor compared to last year. Our Noakhali correspondent adds: Many people living in char [shoal] areas expect to gain high profit from sale of the cows they have raised for the Eid-ul-Azha festival. Cattle trader M Ibrahim of Noakhali Womens College area said he started rearing local cows in 2011 and now he has 14 bulls of different sizes. He purchased the bulls at a rate of Tk 40,000 to Tk 55,000 each this year. But he said the price last year was in the range between Tk 30,000 and Tk 40,000. Still he hopes to earn good profit during this Eid, he said.There is high demand for local cows in the markets. However, people living in low-lying areas faced difficulties in raising animals doe recurrent floods and tidal surge. There was fodder crisis and rise in the prices of cattle feed, hitting the cattle traders hard. Aarfat colony, east Maijdee, Maijdee Bazaar, Masterpara, Harinarayunpur, Sonapur and Dattarhat are the main markets in the district. District Livestock Department sources said there are 74 registered cattle rearing farms in Noakhali and char areas of Subarnachar and Hatiya upazilas. District Livestock Officer Ziaur Rahman said there will not be any shortage of sacrificial animals in the district this year.