Soaring animal prices likely to cast shadow over Qurbani

With Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslim Ummah, fast approaching, excitement is steadily mounting across Bangladesh.
The nation is preparing for nearly a fortnight of spiritual excitement and sacrifice, marked by the traditional buying and slaughtering of animals. Yet, this year, a growing sense of financial anxiety is threatening to overshadow the festivities, reports UNB.
Eid-ul-Azha is synonymous with Qurbani-the ritual sacrifice of animals such as goats, sheep, cows and camels-symbolising faith and community spirit.
In 2024, a total of 10,408,918 animals were sacrificed in Bangladesh, an increase of 367,106 from the previous year. Dhaka division saw the highest number of sacrifices, with 2,529,182 animals.
The Department of Livestock Services (DLS) reported that 10,621,228 cattle were sold during last Eid, while 2,359,139 sacrificial animals remained unsold across the country.
Interestingly, the lowest sales figures were recorded in Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions. Dhaka sold 2.52 million animals, followed by 1.97 million in Chattogram and 2.3 million in Rajshahi. A total of 12,980,367 animals were stocked for sacrifice nationwide.
This year, however, growing concerns about affordability and availability are casting a shadow over the upcoming festival.
Hasan Karim, a private employee from Mirpur, described the soaring prices as "crazy", adding, "Every seller blames feed costs and transport, but nobody is thinking about our income. Our salaries haven't increased, but everything else has." Livestock traders and local vendors confirm that prices have surged sharply compared to previous years. The reasons cited include rising transportation costs, inflation, and higher prices for animal feed.
Besides, droughts and livestock diseases in some regions have led to shortages, fuelling further price hikes. For many families-especially those from middle- and lower-income households-this has prompted serious rethinking. Collective sacrifices or donations through online Qurbani platforms are increasingly being seen as practical alternatives.