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The sales of sacrificial animals at makeshift cattle markets in the capital are yet to gain momentum, although Eid-ul-Azha is just four days away.
The traders with their cattle have arrived at makeshift markets in the city.
Visiting different markets daily, the FE found that the prices of cattle, including cows, bulls and goats, are higher this year than last year's.
The traders have attributed high prices of cattle fodder and transport costs to this rise in prices in order to make a profit.
The price of a sacrificial animal is fixed based on that of meat per kilogram in the market, according to them.
Beef now sells at Tk 800 a kilogram, which was Tk 600 a kg last year.
The traders further said that they had to spend extras for procuring cattle from rural farmers.
Leaseholders at Kamalapur makeshift cattle market told the FE on Saturday that traders started arriving here since Thursday.
A trader named Ali Asgar from Faridpur district told the FE at Kamalapur market that he has brought 12 different sizes of cattle to this outlet.
He sold a bull at Tk 110,000 (around 120-kg meat) on Saturday.
Mr Asgar said potential buyers were asking the prices but did not reach any final decision on purchase.
The man, however, hoped to sell the rest of his herd before Eid.
Trader Md Majnu from Chuadanga district has brought 20 cows to Shanirakhra cattle market.
He said a moderate big-sized bull with some 400-kg meat on it was asked by traders from Tk 0.5 million to Tk 0.55 million.
Mr Majnu said a medium-sized cattle was priced between Tk 0.2 million and Tk 0.25 million while a small one ranged from Tk 0.1 million to Tk 0.12 million.
Traders said most of the customers asked for the prices of small-sized cows due to rising prices.
They, however, hoped that the sale of cows would get momentum by tomorrow (Monday).
Meanwhile, law-enforcement agencies maintain constant vigilance to ensure safety and security at cattle markets.
Leaseholders at Shahjahanpur cattle market said they have the arrangements to detect fake banknotes so that traders and customers could not be deprived.
Bangladesh has a saleable stock of 12.5-million cattle heads this Eid-ul-Azha.
The demand for sacrificial animals during the festival is an estimated 10.4 million. The country will have a surplus of 2.1-million animals this year.
Local farms have 4.84-million cows and buffaloes and 7.6-million goats and sheep in stock for Eid sales, according to fisheries and livestock ministry.
Meanwhile, the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on the illegal trafficking of animals from neighbouring countries to protect the interests of local cattle farmers.
Home ministry has directed law agencies to ensure uninterrupted transportation of cattle on highways and within cities and also to prevent extortion.
Law-enforcers will ensure that nobody harasses cattle farmers during the festival, according to a home ministry official.