Rawhide: Supply increases, price falls

Supply of rawhide has increased in comparison to recent years. A total of 20 lakh pieces of rawhides have been collected in the three days of Eid-ul-Adha in capital Dhaka. Owners of warehouses at Posta in the capital disclosed the information.

Target to collected hide 10% more

Merchants have expressed optimism over collection of 10 per cent additional rawhide than last year.

So far three to four lakh additional skins are collected this year. They said, the amount of losing hide’s grade also decreased this year as the weather is not too hot. Price of salt also remained reasonable and was sprinkled timely.

1.1 crore animals slaughtered countrywide

Some 1 crore 19 lakh cattle were accounted for this year’s Eid-ul-Adha. But 9 lakh cattle remain unsold due to fall of price. Some 1 crore animals were slaughtered last year.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Hide and Skin Merchant Association, Tipu Sultan, said, “The supply of rawhide is high this year in comparison to last year.” He said, no skin will remain unsold as the opportunity of export increased.

Number of seasonal traders lessened

Traders said, price of hide fell short this year leaving the seasonal traders to count loss.

“Price of a hide last year on an average was taka 300-350 which is being sold at taka 150-250 this year,” seasonal trader Yousuf Hossain told the reporter.

Another trader Firoj Hossain said, “I have brought 30 skins. Now, buyers are offering less than the price I bought. How can I sell those?” However hoarders said, the price did not decrease.

The commerce ministry fixed taka 33-34 per foot of processed rawhide out of Dhaka city.

Hoarders said, salt needs to be added in rawhide. Moreover, labour cost is also expenditure. So, they have to expend taka 12 per square foot for this.