In the aftermath of rawhide price fall

The country has seen a debacle in prices of rawhides of sacrificial animals during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. Thousands of pieces of rawhides remained unsold due to the price fall. According to media reports, aratdars (merchants) did not get their dues from tannery owners, so they didn't have the money to buy rawhides. Many aratdars thought, the tannery owners might not comply with the government-fixed prices of rawhides. Accordingly, they refrained from buying rawhides.

The government has eventually decided to allow exports of rawhides, a decision many termed necessary but a delayed one. We want better business relations between aratdars and tannery owners.

We urge all stakeholders to remain proactive in addressing the situation. Let the industry survive, and thousands of rawhides, produced during the Eid-ul-Azha be preserved and sold at reasonable prices. Every year madrashas receive rawhides in the form of donation. We want that the madrasha students and staff benefit from a good price of rawhides.

Hosne Ara

Dhanmondi, Dhaka