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Sacrificial animals have started arriving in the city's different makeshift markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
The FE travelled to some makeshift cattle markets in the city revealed that cattle sellers were taking care of their animals as the trading is yet to get momentum.
People were also seen visiting markets to see cattle, including cows and bulls, and their prices as they were delaying to see the market trend before buying animals.
According to traders, the prices of cows this year are comparatively higher than last year's due to increased prices of cattle fodder and transport costs.
Seeking anonymity, a trader at Shanirakhra cattle market said cattle prices are usually determined on that of meat (per kilogram).
Last year, cattle were sold on the basis of meat price at Tk 600 a kilogram, he said.
But a kilogram of beef now sells at Tk 800.
If a bull is around 120 kg, it sells between Tk 96,000 and Tk 100,000 which was sold between Tk 70,000 and Tk 75,000 last year.
"I bought a bull at Tk 100,000 to fulfil the wish of my children," said businessman Md Mahbub at Kamalapur cattle market on Friday afternoon.
The man was expecting 120-kg meat from this animal.
Meanwhile, leaseholders at some cattle markets said they have taken all measures alongside law agencies to ensure security of customers.
Many customers now prefer to purchase cattle online to avoid hassle and hustle at offline markets.
A high official of fisheries and livestock ministry told the FE that the government would appoint veterinaries at markets to examine cattle.
According to a government statistic, the country has a sufficient stock of cattle which will fulfil the demand during the Eid of sacrifice.
Sector insiders said the government's decision of not allowing import of cows from neighbouring countries, especially India, was a blessing for many people for becoming entrepreneurs.
According to fisheries and livestock minister SM Rezaul Karim, the country has a saleable stock of 12.5 million cattle heads for this Eid-ul-Azha.
Taking into account the demand for 10.4-million cattle, the country has a surplus of 2.1-million heads ahead of the festival this year.
Mr Karim announced that cattle-rearers and farmers needed not pay any charge on sale in case it takes place at the farm or on the way to markets.
Even leaseholders of temporary markets and their agents cannot charge 'hasil' [fee] from a farmer or ranch owner if they sell an animal at home or at the ranch.
If a cattle farmer could manage a buyer on their own, they would be exempt from such fees, said Mr Karim.
To protect the interests of local cattle farmers, home ministry has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on illegal trafficking of animals from neighbouring states.
Uninterrupted transportation of cattle on highways and within cities will be ensured, while law-enforcers will be active in preventing extortion.
Mr Karim said law-enforcers would ensure that nobody harasses cattle farmers during the festival.
Alongside conventional buy and sell, digital payment and online sales will continue this year as well.
According to the ministry, local farms have 4.84-million cows and buffalos, and 7.6-million goats and sheep in stock for sales, as Eid is drawing closer.
Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said on Friday crime-combatants would take action against any shifty online sellers if they found involved in cheating customers.
RAB director (media) Cdr Khandakar Al Moin at a briefing at Karwanbazar office requested customers to contact them in case of any cheating for online buys.