Improper skinning cuts hide prices by 43pc: CPD
Staff Reporter :
Around 21 per cent of sacrificial animal hides collected during this year’s Eid-ul-Adha were sold at prices 43 per cent lower than high-quality leather due to damage caused by improper skinning techniques, according to a new study by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
Conducted between February and June 2025, the study was a joint initiative by CPD, the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), and the Leather Sector Business Promotion Council (LSBPC).
The findings were presented by CPD Senior Research Associate Tamim Ahmed at a validation workshop held on Monday at Dhaka Club. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman attended the event as chief guest, with BTA Chairman Shaheen Ahmed presiding. CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem also took part in the session.
The report identified “flay cuts”-tears and punctures caused by improper use of knives during skinning-as the leading cause of spoilage. Such damage significantly reduces the commercial value of the hides, often rendering them unsuitable for high-grade leather production.
Tamim Ahmed explained that many raw hides were either heavily damaged or discarded altogether due to unskilled handling. The shortage of trained butchers and the limited number of functional slaughterhouses exacerbated the issue. Without correct skinning methods, hides are vulnerable to structural damage, lowering their value in the supply chain.
The study highlighted the scale of the problem in Dhaka, where over two million animals were sacrificed during Eid. However, the city had only 11,600 certified butchers, as per data from the Bangladesh Meat Traders Association.
Nationally, only 4.8 per cent of animals were slaughtered by professional butchers, while 13.3 per cent were handled by owners themselves and 81.9 per cent by madrasa or mosque representatives-many of whom lacked formal training.
The CPD called for the establishment and utilisation of modern, hygienic slaughterhouses to improve leather quality and reduce waste.
Post-slaughter practices were also found lacking. According to the study, none of the collected hides were salted before preservation. Some 37 per cent of madrasas and 83 per cent of seasonal traders sold hides without applying salt-a critical step in preventing decomposition. This further contributed to the deterioration of leather quality.
The market impact was significant. While high-quality leather fetched an average price of Tk39 per square foot, lower-grade leather affected by cuts and blemishes sold for just Tk27-a 43 per cent price differential.
According to the Department of Livestock, more than 9.1 million animals were sacrificed across the country during Eid-ul-Adha this year, including 4.7 million cattle and buffaloes.
The government had set the price of salted cowhide at Tk60-65 per square foot in Dhaka and Tk55-60 in other regions.
Ahmed cited Bengal Meat as a positive example, noting that due to professional slaughtering and skinning practices, their hides can sell for up to Tk2,000 each.
The study also pointed to ongoing challenges faced by foreign investors, particularly in acquiring land within the Savar leather industry zone in Hemayetpur-an issue that continues to hinder growth and export potential.
Data for the study was collected from 768 respondents across five districts-Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram, Natore, and Mymensingh-including madrasa and orphanage representatives, seasonal traders, shopkeepers, tannery owners, and workers.