As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, the traditional purchase of sacrificial animals is undergoing a significant transformation in Bangladesh. Increasingly, sellers are embracing digital marketing and social media platforms to reach wider audiences, offering buyers greater convenience and transparency.
Government initiatives like the "Digital Haat" have facilitated online cattle sales, enabling customers to browse and purchase animals from the comfort of their homes. According to data from digitalhaat.net, between June 20 and June 28, 2023, Digital Haat recorded the sale of 56,821 animals, with transactions totalling over BDT 4,220 million (BDT 422 crore).
Private platforms such as Bengal Meat have emerged as major players in this evolving Qurbani landscape. Their online portal allows customers to choose from a range of cattle, goats, and sheep, with services including supervised halal slaughtering, meat processing, and home delivery. Cattle prices vary per kilogram depending on size and weight. Bengal Meat also offers shared sacrifice ('Bhaag') options and accepts payments through mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad, with installment plans available.
Additionally, social media-especially Facebook-has become a vital tool for cattle marketing. Sellers post detailed advertisements featuring images, weights, and prices of animals, often offering discounts for mobile payment users.
The integration of digital marketing and social platforms into Qurbani cattle sales signals a major shift towards modernisation of Bangladesh's livestock sector. This digital transition is not only streamlining the buying process for consumers but also empowering farmers and sellers by expanding their market reach.
Nushrat Zahan Diba
Student
SBE, North South University
nushrat.diba@northsouth.edu
