Rawhide sold below govt-set prices in Kishoreganj

Although the government fixes rawhide prices every year ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, outside traders are reportedly not even offering half of the fixed rate.

Local traders say they are not receiving even the price determined after adding salt and transportation costs to rawhide.

As a result, district-level leather traders have allegedly been suffering for several years due to manipulation by Dhaka-based syndicates.

Local seasonal traders demanded that the government restore the system of exporting rawhide abroad, as was done previously.

They also suggested that the government itself could procure rawhide and export it if necessary.

Even two weeks after Eid, a large quantity of rawhide remains unsold in the market, while the number of buyers is very low.

Jamal Mia from the Kargaon area of Katiadi Upazila brought 150 pieces of rawhide to the market.

He said the average cost of each hide, including salt and transportation, was Tk 750, but outside buyers were offering about 10 percent less than that. He also complained about additional market fees, saying it was not possible to run a business under such conditions.

Md Habibur Rahman, a trader from Nogua in Kishoreganj town, appealed to the Prime Minister, saying that if tanneries do not purchase rawhide at a reasonable price.

the government should take initiative to buy and export it. He added that rawhide was previously exported abroad, with China being a major buyer.

Shankar Rabidas, a trader from Dhala area of Tarail Upazila, brought 400 pieces of rawhide to the market, some measuring up to 26 square feet.

He said the government-fixed price ranges from Tk 57 to Tk 62 per square foot, meaning his hides should sell for more than Tk 1,500 each.

However, traders in Dhaka are offering only around Tk 700 per piece, he claimed, urging authorities to ensure purchases at government rates.