A total of 170 permanent and temporary animal markets are being set up across the 10 districts of Khulna division ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha, with farmers already bringing their cattle to the markets.
The markets, operated jointly by the district administration and the livestock department, will remain open until the morning of Eid day.
Khulna district will host the highest number of markets at 27, including the Khulna City Corporation’s (KCC) traditional Joragate animal market. Bagerhat follows with 29 markets, Satkhira 16, Jessore 20, Jhenaidah 22, Magura 15, Narail 10, Kushtia 17, Chuadanga 8, and Meherpur 6, according to officials.
Director of the Khulna Divisional Livestock Department, Md Golam Haider, said the markets have been established in 59 upazilas and the KCC area, with 142 veterinary medical teams deployed to ensure animal health and safety.
“This year, almost the entire demand for sacrificial animals in Khulna division will be met by locally raised animals,” he said.
According to the department, demand stands at approximately 1,080,000 animals, while farmers have prepared over 1,447,000 — about 38.78 percent more than demand.
Farmers warned that animal prices may increase this year due to rising feed costs. Nazrul Islam, a farmer from Dumuria’s Baliakhali village, said higher feed prices could push cow prices above last year’s levels.
KCC Chief Executive Officer Rajib Ahmed said authorities have taken initiatives including CCTV surveillance, medical teams, and a fake note detection system under Bangladesh Bank supervision to ensure a proper environment at the Joragate market.
Last year, 169 animal markets were set up in Khulna division with 152 medical teams. Against a demand of 1,046,000 animals, 1,434,000 were prepared, and over 1,100,000 were sold ahead of Eid.
