The online cattle market has gained strong momentum this Eid-ul-Adha season, with sellers reporting increased consumer interest driven by convenience, safety and home delivery options.
Industry stakeholders said digital platforms are playing a growing role in Qurbani livestock sales alongside traditional markets.
Marketing Manager at Novelta Organic Agro Wasiu Ferdous told TIMES of Bangladesh that buyers increasingly prefer online purchases to crowded physical markets. “When you go to the cattle market, the crowding, pushing and jostling make people prefer online shopping more,” he said. Online shopping also removes the need to visit the market, and cattle can be delivered directly to homes.
Last year, the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) reported that more than 409 websites and 614 Facebook pages and websites sold cattle online. Sellers said customer engagement on these platforms has increased significantly this year.
Proprietor of Rowshan Agro Ishraque Alim said his farm has listed 50 cattle for online sale this season, including 25 from its own herd and the rest sourced from other areas. This is his third year selling livestock online; last year, the farm listed 40 cattle. He expects to scale up next year due to strong demand and said nearly 90 per cent of customers are returning buyers.
Alim added that rising costs are influencing consumer behaviour. “Feed prices, transportation costs and overall expenses have increased, and that pressure is reflected in customer purchasing patterns,” he said.
Sellers said trust remains central to online livestock trading. Fair pricing, consistent communication and accurate representation of cattle are key drivers of repeat customers and referrals.
Alongside websites and social media pages, mobile financial services are increasingly integrated into online cattle sales. This year, bKash added a dedicated section in its app for cattle purchases. Bosila-based Meghdubi Agro listed five cows and 20 goats on the platform. Account Officer Bipro Dev Das said most sales still happen offline, but online listings have received a positive response. All cows and about half the goats have already been sold.
Large meat processors are also expanding digital Qurbani services. Bengal Meat introduced online offerings this year, with slaughter and processing supervised by the Islamic Foundation and delivered through a cold-chain system. Head of Marketing Imran Aziz said online Qurbani appeals to customers seeking convenience. “Some people enjoy going to the haat, but many cannot manage the time. If you want a hassle-free Qurbani, you can trust us with proper hygiene, trained processing and packaging,” he said. The company listed around 500 cattle, of which about 95 per cent have already been sold.
Market participants said cattle prices this year mostly range between Tk120,000 and Tk160,000. DLS data shows the country remains well supplied ahead of Eid, with estimated demand of 1.01 crore animals against a supply of 1.23 crore, leaving a surplus of around 22 lakh animals. In 2025, DLS reported that around 409 websites and 614 social media pages were involved in selling Qurbani animals. Approximately 91.36 lakh animals were sacrificed nationwide, of which 85,626 were sold through online platforms.
