Published: 10:22 AM, 23 May 2026
Dinajpur sees a surplus of 1.5 lakh sacrificial animals ahead of Eid
Dinajpur district has prepared a surplus of more than 1.5 lakh sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with traders and farmers already sending cattle and goats to markets across the district.
According to the District Livestock Department, a total of 62,408 farmers have collectively prepared 4,26,523 cattle for the occasion, including bulls, cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and lambs.
Farmers have started bringing animals to 68 cattle markets across 13 upazilas of the district, with the largest influx reported at Birampur Old Market. "Wholesalers from outside the district have already purchased good-sized animals in advance," said Md. Ajmal Haque, lessee of the market.
Last Thursday, four major markets-Ranirbandar (Chirirbandar), Raniganj (Ghoraghat), Ambari (Parbatipur), and Kaharole-witnessed a notable presence of outside wholesalers buying preferred animals ahead of Eid.
However, there has not yet been a significant turnout of local buyers, who traditionally purchase animals after the sighting of the moon for Eid-ul-Azha.
Officials predict that due to the higher supply of sacrificial animals this year, prices may be slightly lower than in 2025. Wholesalers reported that small and medium-sized cows are in higher demand than large ones, with most buyers targeting animals in the price range of taka one lakh.
Despite the ample supply, some farmers expressed concern over rising feed costs and lower returns. Hares Ali, a farmer from Parbatipur, said he brought five Shahiwal bulls, asking for 2.5 lakh taka each, but buyers offered Taka 1.5 to 1.7 lakh. Last year, similar animals sold for Taka 2.2 to 2.35 lakh.
Some of the general buyers who came to buy cows at the market expressed satisfaction with the price of the animals, but many complained that the price was a little higher this time compared to last year. However, many local buyers said that they will buy the animals only a day or two before Eid because they don't have space to keep them at home.
Farmers said that the cost of caring for the animals has increased drastically this time due to the skyrocketing price of cow feed. As a result, many sellers are taking their cows home without selling them at the market because the prices that buyers are demanding are not increasing their production cost.
The district administration continues to oversee market operations closely, assuring buyers and sellers of both animal health checks and protection against counterfeit currency.
District Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Abdur Rahim said, "We are vigilant to ensure overall safety of buyers and sellers and the health of animals. We have 38 special medical teams deployed at 68 livestock markets in the district. They are ensuring regular health checks of sacrificial animals."
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