Seasonal raw hide traders in Naogaon are facing significant financial losses as prices at the district’s wholesale markets have plummeted well below the rates fixed by the government. Despite the post-Eid-ul-Adha period usually being the busiest time for the industry, the lack of competition and the absence of Dhaka-based tanners have left local traders in a state of despair.
The Chakrail hide warehouse (Arat) in Badalgachhi Upazila – one of only two such facilities in the district, saw a poor turnout during its recent Wednesday market. Although the market typically draws buyers from Joypurhat, Bogra’s Adamdighi, and Dhaka, the supply and trading volume remained unexpectedly low.
According to market sources, cow and buffalo hides were sold for Tk450 to Tk600 per piece, while goat and sheep skins fetched a mere Tk20 to Tk70. These figures stand in sharp contrast to the government-fixed rates for salted cow hides outside Dhaka, which were set at Tk57 to Tk62 per square foot.
Rising costs and “syndicates” Traders alleged that a “syndicate” is operating to keep prices low. Masud Khan Rana, a trader from Gosthati Mor in Naogaon Sadar, reported that while he expected to sell his salted cow hides for over Tk1,000 per piece based on government rates, he was forced to accept between Tk450 and Tk550.
“I collected 100 pieces of raw cow hide, but at the warehouse, I found they were being bought for only Tk30–35 per square foot,” Rana said, adding that the presence of only one representative from Dhaka’s tanneries has eliminated any market competition.
The crisis is compounded by the rising cost of processing. Traders noted that the price of salt has increased by Tk100 to Tk150 per bag, and labour costs have also risen. Shahid Rana, a trader from Shibpur in Patnitala, estimated that processing costs now reach Tk100 per cow hide and Tk20 per goat skin.
He urged the commerce minister to refrain from fixing prices until the government secures international contracts for hide exports.
The financial impact on individual seasonal traders has been severe. Abdul Jalil, from Binodpur in Mahadevpur, shared that he invested Tk47,000 to collect 80 cow hides and 90 pieces of goat and sheep skins. After spending an additional Tk10,000 on salt, labour, and transport, he was offered only Tk32,000 to Tk33,000 for his entire stock at the warehouse. “Instead of a profit, I am staring at a massive loss,” he said.
Abul Kalam Azad, the Convener of the Chakrail hide warehouse and Vice President of the District Hide Traders Association, confirmed the market slump. He stated that while they anticipated a turnover of Tk40 to Tk45 lakh, actual sales only reached approximately Tk14 to Tk15 lakh.
“The market has collapsed because Dhaka-based buyers did not show up,” Azad said. Traders believe the industry requires more sincere government intervention and better preservation facilities to prevent such recurring crises and protect the sector from total destruction.
