Staff Corespondent

With Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslim Ummah, fast approaching, excitement is steadily mounting across Bangladesh.

The nation is preparing for nearly a fortnight of spiritual excitement and sacrifice, marked by the traditional buying and slaughtering of animals. Yet, this year, a growing sense of financial anxiety is threatening to overshadow the festivities.

Eid-ul-Azha is synonymous with Qurbani—the ritual sacrifice of animals such as goats, sheep, cows and camels—symbolising faith and community spirit.In 2024, a total of 10,408,918 animals were sacrificed in Bangladesh, an increase of 367,106 from the previous year. Dhaka division saw the highest number of sacrifices, with 2,529,182 animals.

The Department of Livestock Services (DLS) reported that 10,621,228 cattle were sold during last Eid, while 2,359,139 sacrificial animals remained unsold across the country.

Interestingly, the lowest sales figures were recorded in Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions. Dhaka sold 25.20 lakh animals, followed by 19.74 lakh in Chattogram and 23 lakh in Rajshahi. A total of 12,980,367 animals were stocked for sacrifice nationwide.

This year, however, growing concerns about affordability and availability are casting a shadow over the upcoming festival.

Hasan Karim, a private employee from Mirpur, described the soaring prices as “crazy”, adding, “Every seller blames feed costs and transport, but nobody is thinking about our income. Our salaries haven’t increased, but everything else has.”

Livestock traders and local vendors confirm that prices have surged sharply compared to previous years. The reasons cited include rising transportation costs, inflation, and higher prices for animal feed.

Besides, droughts and livestock diseases in some regions have led to shortages, fuelling further price hikes.

For many families—especially those from middle- and lower-income households—this has prompted serious rethinking. Collective sacrifices or donations through online Qurbani platforms are increasingly being seen as practical alternatives.

“Eid-ul-Azha isn’t just about tradition—it’s about faith. But rising prices are pushing people to the edge,” said Farzana Hossain, a social worker from Mohammadpur. “If this keeps up, many will be left out of Qurbani entirely.”

Cattle market observations show a nearly 30% increase in prices compared to last year, driven mainly by increased animal feed costs and overall inflation.Mahmudul Hasan, a first-time buyer from Uttara, expressed his dismay: “I was excited to buy my first sacrificial animal last year. But after visiting Gabtoli market, I felt overwhelmed. Even a goat costs more than what I expected to spend on a cow.”

Farmers report that the cost of raising cattle has risen significantly. Monthly rearing costs have jumped from Tk 12,000 to Tk 15,000 per animal. This spike is being passed on to consumers, many of whom are already grappling with reduced purchasing power.

The situation in Dhaka is compounded by a reduced supply of animals in the local markets. Traders have scaled back their operations due to the risk of financial loss and logistical challenges.A cattle trader from Kushtia revealed that he reduced his transport to Dhaka from ten trucks last year to just four this year.This combination of rising prices and limited supply is prompting many to seek alternatives. Some are opting for smaller animals like goats, while others are joining group sacrifices to ease the financial burden.“We save all year just to perform Qurbani, but now it feels like even that isn’t enough,” said Salma Begum, a housewife from Narayanganj. “My husband and I are thinking about sharing a cow with two other families.”The pressure is mounting on government authorities and market regulators to stabilise prices, ensure fair availability, and prevent profiteering during this critical period.Measures are being taken to improve animal health inspections, establish designated markets, and uphold hygiene standards to facilitate a safe and dignified observance of the festival.

Rafiq Ahmed, a schoolteacher from Dhaka, shared his concerns: “I bought a medium-sized cow for Tk 85,000 last year. This year, the same size is going for over Tk 1.2 lakh. I don’t know how I’m going to manage it. It feels like sacrificing an animal is becoming a luxury for the rich only.”

As the festival nears, stakeholders, including government bodies, traders, and consumers, must work collectively to address the rising concerns. Transparency, affordability and animal welfare will be crucial to maintaining the sanctity and spirit of Eid-ul-Azha, many believe.

Local farmer Azi Mohammed from Cumilla said he sold his cows earlier than usual this year. “We sold our cows earlier this time due to increasing rearing costs, as it will affect our profit,” he explained.

Agro Farms Gear Up Around Dhaka

To meet the soaring demand, several prominent agro farms around Dhaka have ramped up operations. These include Shah Agro Farm (Savar), Nahar Agro (Ashulia), Aftab Bahumukhi Farm Ltd (Gazipur), Deshi Agro (Dhamrai), and Bengal Meat Agro Farm (Keraniganj).

These farms offer a range of high-quality cattle, goats and sheep, including native and hybrid breeds such as Deshi, Sahiwal, Friesian, and Brahma crosses, along with Jamunapari and Black Bengal goats.

Prices are expected to start from Tk 60,000 for cattle and Tk 10,000 for goats, depending on size and breed.

Digital Qurbani

Building on the momentum of previous years, digital Qurbani platforms are more popular than ever. Farms are partnering with platforms like Qurbani Haat, ShobjiBazaar, and DeshiQurbani.com to facilitate online animal selection, video previews, virtual consultations, safe payment gateways and contactless delivery of either live animals or processed meat.

With just weeks remaining before Eid-ul-Azha, the nation stands at a crossroads—between economic constraints and religious duty.

The challenge now is to strike a balance that ensures no one is left behind in celebrating this sacred occasion.