The price of rawhide from cows has been fixed at Tk 1200 per piece in Dhaka and Tk 1000 per piece outside Dhaka for the first time in the country.
Alternatively, the prices of salt-applied rawhide from sacrificial cows have been set at Tk 55-60 per square foot (sqft) in the capital city and Tk 50-55 per sqft outside Dhaka, an increase of Tk 5.0 compared to the previous year.
Goat hides, on the other hand, have been set at Tk 20-25 per sqft, and baqri at Tk 18-20 per sqft.
Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters' Association (BFLLFEA) President Mohiuddin Ahmed Mahin announced the prices after a meeting with stakeholders, including tanners, associations and leather sector traders.
State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu and Commerce Secretary Md Selim Uddin joined the meeting at the Secretariat on Monday.
Mr Mahim said the leather sector is going through a tough time. Leather items have been selling at discounted prices in the international market, a decrease of around 15-20 per cent.
Based on shape or size, he said the price of cowhide has been fixed at Tk 1200 and Tk 1000 per piece in Dhaka and the rest of the country for the first time.
Last year, the prices of rawhide from sacrificial cows were Tk 50-55 per square foot (sqft) in the capital city and Tk 45-48 per sqft outside of Dhaka. Goat hides and baqri skins were priced at Tk 18-20 per sqft and Tk 12-14 per sqft, respectively.
State Minister Ahasanul Islam Titu said the government's top priority is to ensure proper rawhide collection throughout the country.
The state commerce minister and leather sector leaders requested the donors of sacrificial animals to add the required amount of salt as soon as possible after slaughtering animals, given the hot weather this year.
Mr. Titu assured that necessary measures have been taken to ensure that rawhide and skins are sold at fair prices across the country.
He added that leather sector traders generally purchase rawhide and skins, and they should announce such prices. The government will provide assistance in this regard.
According to the ministry, more than 50 per cent of the total rawhide and skins are usually collected during Eid-ul-Azha.
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