Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

This Eid-ul-Ajha, the Narayanganj district administration has projected that approximately 100,000 animals will be sacrificed across the district. Consequently, the target for rawhide collection is also set at 100,000. To process each cowhide, an average of 10 to 12 kilograms of refined salt is required. Based on this estimate, nearly 1,000 metric tons of salt will be needed during the Eid season for rawhide preservation in the district alone.

 However, there is no cause for concern. Salt traders in Narayanganj have confirmed that the district currently has a stockpile of 119,000 metric tons of refined salt. This means there is 119 times more salt in reserve than the actual requirement, eliminating any risk of a salt shortage.

 A senior member of the Narayanganj Salt Traders Association said, “We’ve taken early measures this year. Even though the government has not allowed salt imports, our domestic supply is sufficient to meet the demand. We have already ramped up packaging and distribution activities across storage facilities in the city.”

He added, “According to our estimates, we can supply 350 to 400 metric tons of salt daily on average. For Eid, we have doubled that capacity. Since there's been no need for import this year, the prices have remained stable.”

 Wholesale Market Stability: A visit to the city’s main wholesale salt markets—Nitaiganj and Machuabazar—revealed that refined salt is being sold at Tk 12 to Tk 13 per kilogram, unchanged from last month. According to traders, many had stocked up in advance based on past experiences, which has prevented any sudden price hikes.

 Saiful Islam, a salt wholesaler in Nitaiganj, said, “Salt is the most crucial element in rawhide processing. If salt is not applied to fresh hides quickly, they start to rot. That’s why we’ve already started supplying salt to tanneries and seasonal traders ahead of Eid.”

 In previous years, various irregularities have plagued rawhide preservation efforts. In some cases, the lack of timely salt application led to spoilage. Additionally, some seasonal traders were found to be selling salt at inflated prices. This year, both the district administration and police department are on high alert.

 A senior official from the district administration said, “We’re closely monitoring to ensure no syndicates form around salt sales. Field administration has been instructed to take immediate action if any irregularities are detected. Mobile courts will be deployed if necessary.”

 He added that mobile teams will be stationed at various cattle markets in the city and upazilas during Eid. There will also be surveillance on salt sales points to prevent any artificial shortages from being created.

 Asif Uddin, General Secretary of the Narayanganj branch of the Bangladesh Hide and Skin Merchants Association, noted, “The future quality of a hide depends on how it is processed within the first 24 hours. If salt isn’t applied properly during this time, it becomes unusable. That’s why we’ve advised traders to use high-quality salt.”

Salt trader Abdul Matin said, “Typically, the demand peaks during the three days following Eid. We’ve prepared accordingly. This time, we don’t want any hides to rot or remain unsold due to a lack of salt.”

Narayanganj is fully prepared to ensure that no rawhide is left to rot or go to waste this Eid. And at the heart of this readiness is the massive reserve of 119,000 metric tons of refined salt.