The time for qurbani has come to an end today, with the Maghrib prayers this evening.

During a visit to the Gabtoli cattle market this afternoon, people were seen buying cows, goats, and sheep as many traders were still at Dhaka’s biggest sacrificial animal market, selling at prices lower than usual.

Mohammadpur resident Md Roni and his friends went to Gabtoli and bought a small cow for Tk 45,000. When asked, they said that they did not have enough money before Eid. Moreover, Roni intended to buy a cow and sacrifice it for his child’s akikah. They said they would perform qurbani plus akikah this evening.

Abdul Jabbar said he bought a goat for only Tk 6,000 from the cattle market in the Tejgaon Railgate area. He said it was his wish to donate a goat to a local madrasa but he could not afford it then. As the price was less, he could now.

From the Mirpur 60-feet area, Md Shabuj came with his children and bought a goat by paying Tk 13,000.

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Photo: Shaheen Mollah/Star

He said as the price of the goat was low, he bought it so that his family members could enjoy mutton during the festive season.

Abul, a goat trader at Gabtoli cattle market, told The Daily Star that last year they sold about 900 goats for Eid-ul-Azha. This year they brought 700 and were able to sell 400.

Regarding the remaining goats, he said they could not take good care of them over the past week, as it was not possible to take proper care of so many goats.

Since Eid day, he said, they have been selling them at a loss of Tk 3,000-4,000 each. If they cannot sell them within a day or two, the goats could fall sick.

Staffers of the Gabtoli cattle market leaseholders, requesting anonymity, said until noon, they had taken a 5 percent commission for the sale of each cattle, but after 12:00pm, they reduced it to 3.5 -- the usual rate for the rest of the year.

Asked about the sale of cows and goats this time, they said that sales were moderate, but not as expected.

Many traders selling goats for Eid are experiencing significant financial losses.

Many buyers were seen sacrificing the goats and cows right there at the cattle market and taking the meat home.