Photo : BSS

KHULNA, May 3, 2026 (BSS) – There will be no shortage of sacrificial animals in Khulna division ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha as local farmers have produced over 14.47 lakh animals against a demand of around 10.79 lakh.

Officials of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) said the division is expected to have a surplus of over 367,000 sacrificial animals this year, raising hopes that prices will remain within buyers’ purchasing capacity.

Director of Khulna DLS Dr Mohammad Golam Haider told BSS that the estimated demand for sacrificial animals in the division this year stands at 1,079,449, while around 1,446,809 animals have been prepared locally for Eid-ul-Azha.

“Local production will be enough to meet the entire demand this year, and no import of animals from neighbouring countries will be necessary,” he said.

According to DLS data, the animals prepared for sacrifice include 130,427 bulls, 32,027 oxen, 82,302 cows, 4,089 buffaloes, 851,370 goats, 51,173 sheep and 216 animals of other categories.

Dr Haider said a large number of animals would be brought to temporary cattle markets across the division and Khulna city ahead of Eid, ensuring smooth supply.

However, farm owners said rising prices of animal feed may slightly increase cattle prices this season.

Farm owner Shahabuddin Ahmed of Samantasena village in Rupsha upazila said feed prices have gone up significantly compared to previous years.

Farmer Md Didarul Alam of Dumuria upazila said he has reared seven indigenous cows for nearly a year using natural feed, including grass, maize and wheat bran.

Meanwhile, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) is likely to operate the city’s traditional Joragate cattle market on its own as no contractor responded to three rounds of tender invitations.

KCC Market Branch official Sheikh Shafiqul Hasan Didar said the corporation fixed the tender value at Tk 2.3 crore and invited tenders four times, with the latest opening scheduled for Monday.

“If no bidder participates, KCC will manage the cattle market itself according to rules,” he said.

Last year, KCC earned around Tk 2.30 crore in revenue by operating the market directly after receiving no response to tenders.

A 32-member committee has already been formed to oversee market management, healthcare, law and order, anti-counterfeit currency measures and other facilities for traders and buyers during the Eid cattle market period.