KHULNA, May 29, 2025 (BSS) - A total of 169 traditional and makeshift cattle markets have been established across all ten districts of Khulna division to facilitate the sale of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

With eight days remaining until the second-largest religious festival of Muslims, cattle traders have already started bringing animals from their farms to these markets. 

The Department of Livestock, in collaboration with district administrations, has set up the markets, which will remain operational until the morning of Eid.

Out of the 169 traditional and makeshift cattle markets, at least 22 including the KCC's Zoragate cattle market have been set up in Khulna. Additionally, 33 markets have been set up in Bagerhat, 15 in Satkhira, 19 in Jashore, 22 in Jhenaidah, 19 in Magura, 8 in Narail, 17 in Kushtia, 8 in Chuadanga and 6 in Meherpur.

Dr. Nurullah Md Ahsan, acting director of the Khulna Divisional Livestock Department said BSS that cattle markets have been set up in all 59 upazilas in 10 districts as well as within the KCC. 

Additionally, 152 veterinary medical teams have been deployed to ensure the health and safety of the animals.

"The demand for sacrificial animals this year in Khulna division is expected to be met almost entirely through locally-reared livestock," Dr. Ahsan stated.

To ensure smooth operations at the Zoragate cattle market, the KCC will install CCTV surveillance, deploy medical teams and provide fake currency detection services under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank, said KCC Chief Executive Officer Laskar Tazul Islam.

Nazrul Islam, a cattle farmer from Baliakhali village in Dumuria upazila, mentioned that the price of cattle feed has increased significantly, which may lead to higher cattle prices this year compared to last.

According to the Livestock Department, the demand for sacrificial animals in Khulna division this year stands at approximately 10.46 lakh. However, farmers have reared over 14.34 lakh animals in anticipation of Eid, exceeding the demand by 38.78 percent.

The breakdown of animals reared includes 538,431 cows, 6,317 buffaloes, 838,603 goats, 51,132 sheep and 95 other animals in the division.