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CHATTOGRAM, June 4, 2025 (BSS) - Traders in the port city aim to collect about four lakh rawhides in Chattogram during the Eid-ul-Azha to be celebrated on June 7. 

The price of raw hides has increased slightly compared to the last year. In addition, the price of salt in the market has decreased this year. About 100 to 150 grams of salt are required to preserve each kilogram of rawhide. 

As a result, the traders will need about one lakh tonnes of salt.  Moreover, the government has provided 30,000 tonnes of salt free of charge to madrasas and orphanages in the country. 

The government has already fixed the prices of the salt-applied rawhides of cows at Tk 60 to Tk 65 per square foot in the city and Tk 55 to Tk 60 per square foot outside the capital. 

The price of goat hides was set at Tk 22 to Tk 27 per square foot, while that of she-goat hides was fixed at Tk 20 to Tk 22 per square foot across the country.

Former president of the Chattogram Raw Skin Traders' Cooperative Association Md. Muslim Uddin said last year they collected about 3.61 lakh pieces of rawhides. Of these, cow skin was about three lakh pieces. 

“This year we have set a target of collecting four lakh hides. Of these, we expect to collect three lakh pieces of cow skin and one lakh pieces of goat skin,” he added.

Consequently, the traders will need about one lakh tons of salt. Of this, about 60,000 ons of salt will be collected from the Chattogram market, and the remaining 40.000 tons from various areas including Narayanganj and Khulna. 

This year, the price of salt has decreased by Tk 2-3 per kg and a sack (74 kg) of salt is being sold at Tk 820, which was sold at Tk 1050 last year. 

"The reduction in the price of salt has facilitated our purchase and storage of skins. Hopefully, we will get the desired profit," he added. 

Abdul Jalil, convener of the Chattogram Raw Leather Tanners' Cooperative Association, said that the price fixed by the government is mainly for preserved and processed hides. 

Nurul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Salt Mill Owners Association, said, "This time, the Eid-ul-Azha is being celebrated at a time when salt is being harvested from the field. Production of salt is also good. So there is no shortage in supply. Leather traders have started taking salt since last month. About 30,000 tons of salt have been sold. They will take the rest in a few days." 

Chattogram Administration has announced regular market monitoring to keep the salt market stable during Eid-ul-Adha and prevent any kind of manipulation. 

Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam said that strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to increase the price of salt by creating an artificial crisis.